New Delhi: BJP leader LK Advani on Tuesday said
he suffered from an inferiority complex due to the oratorical
skills of his party colleague Atal Bihari Vajpayee and now
has the same problem when he hears Leader of Opposition in Lok
Sabha Sushma Swaraj.
"I had told Atal Bihari Vajpayee in early 1970s that I
have developed an inferiority complex due to your speeches...
I tell the same to Sushma Swaraj also. I really mean it,"
Advani said at a programme held here to mark his 85th
birthday.
Advani maintained that he was shy of public speaking
till the 1960s and wanted to avoid addressing large crowds.
He recalled that in 1968 Vajpayee became President of the
erstwhile Jan Sangh- which became BJP after the Emergency- and
after holding the post for a few years wanted to pass on the
baton to him.
"I declined saying I could not give public speeches and
suggested that we should make Rajmata Vijayaraje Scindia the
president," Advani said.
However, when the Rajmata refused and others also
could not take over the mantle, Advani had to take over. By
and by he developed the confidence to address large
gatherings.
"I was in awe of Atalji and earlier felt that if
politicians spoke so well, then I would not be able to make
it," Advani said.
In her address, Swaraj described Advani as a
"father-like figure" for her who respected her so much despite
an age difference of 25-26 years.
"Today when in the country there is a feeling of
distrust for politics and politicians, we have Advani who has
a clean and unblemished record even after being in politics
for 60 years. This is our capital," Swaraj said.
She lauded him as one who encouraged talent and said
leaders like her had grown under his tutelage.
"Whenever we have any problem we feel assured that he
is there and we can go to him for his guidance," Swaraj said.
Leader of Opposition in Rajya Sabha Arun Jaitley said
Advani had the talent to take up an issue and build it up to a
level where it gains acceptability across the country.
Former BJP President Rajnath Singh said Advani, even
at such an age, was the first one to encourage use of
Information Technology for the party.
PTI
