Raipur, July 19: Close on the heels of the leadership controversy, Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee today lavished praise on BJP president Venkaiah Naidu for energising the party and asserted it would emerge successful both in the coming assembly and Lok Sabha elections under him. Addressing the party's national executive here, Vajpayee said the organisation's morale has been boosted ever since Naidu took charge in July last year, party sources said.
Appreciating Naidu's leadership qualities and his hectic activities aimed at galvanising the party, Vajpayee in his 30 minute address said the party is in full gear and strength to face the coming polls and it would emerge victorious under a confident Naidu. The Prime Minister's observations assume significance in the backdrop of the recent leadership controversy triggered by Naidu's remarks that the party would be projecting both Vajpayee and Deputy Prime Minister L K Advani in its poll campaign as 'vikas purush' (man of development) and 'lauh purush' (iron man) respectively.
Vajpayee responded by making a surprise statement at a function in the capital that Advani would lead the party to victory, following which the Deputy Prime Minister categorically stated that Vajpayee would lead the party in the general elections and would continue to be the Prime Minister for several more years to come. Bureau Report