Back home, his deputy comes to PM defence

Aimed at quashing rumours of differences within the BJP, Deputy Prime Minister L.K. Advani today came out strongly in the Prime Minister&#14...

Aimed at quashing rumours of differences within the BJP, Deputy Prime Minister L.K. Advani today came out strongly in the Prime Minister’s support, condemning former UP Chief Minister Mayawati’s ‘‘outburst’’ against him.

Terming her allegations against PM A.B. Vajpayee as ‘‘not only baseless but also in bad taste,’’ Advani said, they were an expression of her desperation. Following CBI raids, Mayawati had charged that the PM was behind them. The CBI is under the Prime Minister’s direct charge.

Taking flight again

New Delhi: Deputy PM L.K. Advani told BBC World’s Hardtalk India that he has never been a candidate for the PM’s job, adding he was sure that Vajpayee would continue to lead the country for many more years.

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Answering a wide range of questions during the programme to be telecast on Friday, Advani went on to add: ‘‘I think this country has been fortunate for having Vajpayee as the Prime Minister for the last over five years and God willing, I am sure that next year he would get the renewed mandate and he would continue to lead the country for many years.’’ PTI

Mayawati had also demanded an independent inquiry into the assets of his foster daughter and son-in-law, who, she alleged, had several properties in prominent places including Nainital. To all this, the PM had only responded with ‘‘I am saddened’’ from Bali.

A much stronger and hard-hitting reaction came from Advani today. ‘‘Everyone knows that CBI has been investigating and prosecuting politicians and senior government officials and the Prime Minister has never intervened in the entire process,’’ he said.

At a press conference yesterday, Mayawati had taken off against Vajpayee and warned that the BJP will regret it and pay heavily for it in the Assembly elections.

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