New Delhi: Scotching reports that he may be
nominated for Rajya Sabha, senior BJP leader LK Advani on Sunday
made it clear that he will contest the next Lok Sabha
elections, saying this is "in my mind".
"I have not said anything (about going to RS) and if
somebody offers me this suggestion I will think about it. But
it is natural, I think, that if I had to consider it I would
have done it earlier," Advani told reporters after unfurling
national flag at his residence.
Asked if he would fight the Lok Sabha elections, he said,
"this is what in my mind".
There have been some unconfirmed reports that BJP was
considering nominating Advani to the Rajya Sabha in an
apparent bid to consolidate its prime ministerial candidate
Narendra Modi`s position in the party.
Advani, who represents Gandhinagar from Gujarat in the
Lok Sabha, had opposed Modi`s elevation and, though, he
showered praise on him during the party`s recent National
Council meeting, many Modi supporters remain wary of the
veteran leader`s moves.
On President Pranab Mukherjee`s Republic Day-eve speech,
Advani said it was "significant" that Mukherjee found it
imperative to speak against "populist anarchy" in his address
to the nation yesterday. The BJP leader, however, declined to
comment any further.
"I will only say that on today`s occasion I will not
comment on anybody even though it is significant, more so as
the President found it necessary to comment on this," he said.
Mukherjee`s remarks were seen as a dig at the AAP
government in Delhi whose Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal had
launched a dharna outside Rail Bhawan to press for action
against some police officials. He later withdrew it after his
demands were partially met.
The BJP leader also agreed with Mukherjee`s appeal
against a fractured mandate and said he hoped that the country
would have a government with a complete majority after
elections.
