Unease on Advani`s remarks: Cong take potshots at BJP leaders

New Delhi: Congress on Tuesday took potshots at the BJP leadership on the controversy after LK Advani`s praise for Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan, saying it seems that the leaders in the opposition party are forcing Advani to retire from politics.

"The way they (BJP leaders) are treating Advani, it seems they are forcing him to take retirement," Congress spokesperson Shakeel Ahmed told reporters. He said BJP is gradually becoming a "joke" as people are realising what kind of party of difference it is. Congress leader and Union Minister Manish Tewari said the "internal strife in BJP is not new." "People will reserve the opposition bench for the BJP permanently by not voting them to power in 2014 general elections as well," he said. Ahmed had yesterday taken a dig at Advani who had showered lavish praise on Chouhan while comparing him with Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi. Later, BJP president Rajnath Singh had said the Gujarat Chief Minister was the "most popular leader" in the country. This statement was interpreted in political circles as a counter to Advani`s remark comparing Chauhan with former Prime Minister and party stalwart Atal Bihari Vajpayee. PTI