Advani plays Sangh tune, praises Modi

BJP president L K Advani, slammed by the RSS for his liberal comments about Pakistan’s founder Mohammed Ali Jinnah, warmed Sangh hearts...

BJP president L K Advani, slammed by the RSS for his liberal comments about Pakistan’s founder Mohammed Ali Jinnah, warmed Sangh hearts today when he praised their poster-boy, saying Gujarat, under Chief Minister Narendra Modi, ‘‘would excel and create a name for itself in the world.’’

By giving Modi the full credit for the BJP’s growth in the state, Advani disappointed rebels in the state unit who have been seeking the CM’s ouster. In a bid to placate the dissidents, he later went to the residence of Keshubhai Patel, spearheading the oust-Modi campaign, to inquire about his ailing wife. But there again, he was accompanied by Modi.

After they exited, Keshubhai told mediapersons that ‘‘they had come to inquire about my wife’s health and that’s all’’. Advani did not speak to the media. Asked about Advani’s praise for Modi during his two-day visit to the state, Keshubhai said ‘‘those were his views.’’

Story continues below this ad

Earlier this week, Keshubhai and other dissident leaders had gone to New Delhi and met former PM A B Vajpayee and Advani’s detractors including M M Joshi, Yashwant Sinha and Madan Lal Khurana. They had avoided meeting the BJP chief.

Despite the campaign against Modi, Advani came out in his support, telling a huge gathering in Patan, 200 km from here: ‘‘Modi is the person who has taken the BJP to strength in this state. It is due to his efforts that the party and state are in good shape.

‘‘With the fast pace you all are progressing under Modi’s leadership, Gujarat will not only be a frontrunner in the country but it would excel and create a name for itself in the world.’’

RSS chief listening, Vajpayee does Jinnah recall

		NEW DELHI: Reviving the controversy that the Sangh Parivar appeared to have buried, Atal Behari Vajpayee on Sunday said Jinnah was secular in his initial days but was later responsible for the country’s partition. At a condolence meeting for RSS ideologue H V Seshadri, Vajpayee made an address which was interpreted in different ways. Some saw in it an approval of Advani’s controversial remarks while others saw the opposite. Speaking in the presence of RSS chief K S Sudarshan who remained silent, Vajpayee said: ‘‘What happened to such people? Why did Jinnah change his colours?… We have to see in totality, he (Jinnah) was responsible for the Muslim League, the country’s partition and religious fanaticism.’’ —PTI

Rajnath Singh warned Pakistan that every inch of its land is within BrahMos’ range as India rolled out its first missiles from Lucknow.

Every inch of Pakistan’s territory now within BrahMos reach: Rajnath Singh

Cities24 min ago

Rajnath Singh warns Pakistan about the reach of the BrahMos missile, praises ‘Operation Sindoor’ and the missile’s technological superiority. He and CM Yogi Adityanath flag off the first batch of BrahMos missiles made in Lucknow, emphasizing their economic impact and thanking Adityanath for his support.

View all shorts

Live Blog

PHOTOS