In New Delhi, the BJP hit back at Prime Minister Manmohan Singh for criticising its projection of L K Advani as its prime ministerial candidate. “He is frustrated and disappointed and is making these comments considering his own state of mind,” said BJP vice-president M Venkaiah Naidu. “We did not expect such comments from the Prime Minister. He is not in a position to give direction or commands and has become nervous ever since Advani’s name was announced because there is no leader in the Congress who can equal Advani in stature,” he added. He said there was no proposal of Modi being projected as a future Prime Minister. “BJP has decided that he should lead the party in Gujarat. He also has expressed his interest in leading the party there. His target is the progress of five crore Gujaratis,” Naidu said.
