Anna swallows hurt, resolves to work for alliance

PUNE, AUG 25: The city unit of the Bharatiya Janata Party on Tuesday heaved a sigh of relief when party veteran Anna Joshi, swallowing hi...

PUNE, AUG 25: The city unit of the Bharatiya Janata Party on Tuesday heaved a sigh of relief when party veteran Anna Joshi, swallowing his humiliation, resolved to work for the alliance candidates in Pune to make Atal Behari Vajpayee the Prime Minister.

The BJP high command had first announced Joshi8217;s name as candidate from Pune but within two days, reversed the decision and asked him not to file nominations. His ticket was given to City party president Pradeep Rawat as the latter8217;s supporters had threatened to launch agitation if Rawat was not given the ticket.

Joshi told prespersons, 8220;Though the party has badly humiliated me, I will neither contest as a rebel nor will I join any other political party. The manner in which the party first announced my name for the Pune Lok Sabha constituency and then in the last minute snatched the ticket and gave it to another person is an insult which is worse than deathquot;, he said.

In a press statement issued here on Tuesday, Joshi set at rest speculation that he wasjoining Sharad Pawar8217;s Nationalist Congress Party NCP. Vehemently refuting reports about his possible revolt against the party candidate or joining any other party, Joshi has said he will continue to work for Puneites, the BJP and Rashtriya Swayamsewak Sangh RSS, even if he was not holding any post.

Joshi said few people wanted him to revolt against the party, and asserted that he would never strike at the roots of the organisation, which he had nourished all his life.

Joshi has made it clear that he will never revolt against the party or even think of joining any other party even if he was not given a ticket. quot;Nothing is final in politics,quot; Joshi said, and added that he had talked to several state and national leaders in this regard. quot;After consulting all of them, I have decided to work for alliance candidates and make Vajpayee the Prime Minister,quot; Joshi said.

Joshi thanked all those who stood behind him and hoped party leaders would not take revenge at his supporters. quot;Party leaders should takethe initiative to create an atmosphere of confidence,quot; he added.

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Meanwhile, party candidate Pradeep Rawat and Girish Bapat, along with other leaders met Joshi at his office on Tuesday. Party sources said Deputy Chief Minister Gopinath Munde also had a telephonic talk with Joshi.