Zee Media Bureau
Korba: Breaking his silence, Bharatiya Janata Party veteran LK Advani on Monday appreciated his party`s prime ministerial candidate Narendra Modi for the latter`s contribution in developing Gujarat.
Speaking in public for the first time after Modi was anointed as BJP`s PM candidate at the parliamentary board meeting on Friday, Advani heaped praise upon the Gujarat CM.
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"Gujarat state has improved a lot on infrastructure and electricity. I give this example because Narendra Modi, who my party has appointed as 2014 PM candidate, has done a lot for development in Gujarat," Advani asserted, who did not attend the Parliamentary Board meeting and had written a scathing letter to BJP president Rajnath Singh expressing disappointment over his style of functioning.
Modi was the first to work for power in rural areas, Advani said while addressing a gathering after dedicating to the nation a 500 MW power plant of the Hasdeo extension project of Chhattisgarh state power generation company limited.
It was Gujarat under Narendra Modi which ensured electricity reaches all small towns and villages, said Advani, adding, Raman Singh is doing the same now.
He further mentioned that the Chhattisgarh government under BJP has always worked for the people.
"It was BJP government under (Atal Bihari) Vajpayee that I was given the responsibility to make this Chhattisgarh state. We worked not for mere vote bank politics, we worked honestly for the people," Advani added.
He also appreciated Chief Minister Raman Singh`s efforts towards making Chhattisgarh a power surplus state.
"Raman Singh always thinks for his people and the youth. I thank him and his Cabinet colleagues for making Chhattisgarh a power surplus state," he said.
"I am told that when the government was formed, no party leader was interested in taking charge of energy department. Then Raman Singh said he will take care of it and made such a remarkable development on this front," he said.
Later, he told mediapersons that it would be in the interest of the country if Modi gets the position (of PM) the party has nominated him.
Party sources said Advani has been of the opinion that a decision on prime ministerial candidate should be taken after Assembly Elections to five states later this year.
After the announcement on Modi, Advani had confined himself to his Delhi residence before making an appearance at the birthday celebrations of eminent lawyer Ram Jethmalani on Saturday evening.
Though Modi was also present at the function, the cold vibes were all too apparent. Modi bent down before the BJP veteran in a gesture of respect and the two exchanged pleasantries but hardly talked to each other.
As Advani remonstrated while remaining closeted at his residence, there was a virtual parade of BJP bigwigs to mollify the sulking leader.
After commissioning Rs 3,671 crore thermal power project, Advani will proceed to Bilaspur district to perform a `bhoomi pujan (ground-breaking ceremony)` for the key Arpa-Bhaisajhar Irrigation Project.
(With Agency inputs)
