Advani stands up for his protege, praises Modi publicly

Just when we were worried whether Bhartiya Janata party veteran leader will accept Narendra Modi as the prime ministerial candidate made without his assent, he surprised everybody by showering praises for Modi. It is a big blow to all the critics who were giving a hard time to the BJP calling it an “undeocratic” and marred with “internal feud” party.

While addressing a public rally in Korba, Chhattisgarh, he was all about showing the critics that the party is united as ever and that Modi’s candidature is valid. Praising Modi’s good administrative abilities he said, “Gujarat is the first state in the country to achieve 100 per cent electrification of all the villages. And the credit goes to Narendra Modi”.

Although Modi was also present at the function, they hardly talked to each other. He bent down to touch Advani’s feet as always but the coldness was apparent.

His public endorsement of Modi not only clears the haze over the part’s internal matters, it also gives an insight into what went wrong when he decided to skip parliamentary board meet of the party on the day of anointing Modi.

Lal Krishna Advani had earlier showed his disinterest in anointing Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi as BJP prime ministerial candidate. He had created a fort for himself taking some of his reliable figures in hand. Needless to say that his guards broke away from his due to party president Rajnath Singh’s polite yet stern “No” to Advani’s demand. The result was in front of everyone. BJP had to anoint Modi without him.

“Today, if he (Modi) has been entrusted the responsibility of the country by my party BJP, then all the good tasks undertaken by our governments in various states would be carried out all over the country,” Mr. Advani told reporters after his first public speech at a rally here since Mr. Modi’s anointment.

Advani had always liked Modi. He was the one who took a humble Rashtriya Swayamsewak Sangh’s pracharak under his wings. During his Rath Yatra days, Modi was his right hand. From organising rallies to devising strategies, Modi was everywhere with him. If Advani was behind building the party keeping himself always second, Modi was the one standing beside him. For BJP, they were like “father and son”.

Rajnath Singh had yesterday said that Advani was okay with everything. And he had also told media that Modi will address rally with him on September 25 in Bhopal.

This broken silence gives credibility to BJP’s argument that Advani was never against Modi being prime ministerial candidate. But the other thing which gains validity side by side is the fact that he was against Modi’s anointment on the ground that some of NDA ruled states were to undergo assembly elections. The fact that Modi’s figure will take front row, rather than giving the state chief ministers their due, will actually be more required for the upcoming elections.

But the hurry that BJP president Rajnath Singh and Modi himself showed angered Advani, who remained unbent till now.

What was done has been done now and Advani, the guardian figure and the mentor, is surely worried about party’s image for the next general elections. After all, he has shut his critics too.

Once again, the second man has taken his charge and is steering BJP towards the right direction. Damn all those who thought Advani had ambitions.