The Hindu : National : No rethink on Advani’s leadership, says Venkaiah

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Thursday, Dec 27, 2007
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No rethink on Advani’s leadership, says Venkaiah

Verdict will have impact on national scene

M. Venkaiah Naidu

HYDERABAD: The former Bharatiya Janata Party president, M. Venkaiah Naidu, on Wednesday said the party would contest the next Lok Sabha election under the leadership of L. K. Advani and that there was no “rethinking” on the issue.

At a press meet, he said the decision had the blessings of the former Prime Minister, A. B. Vajpayee, and was accepted by everybody. Mr. Advani would lead the campaign and Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi would be a star campaigner.

Mr. Naidu said the Gujarat poll verdict would have an impact on the national political scene. The United Progressive Alliance government would become weak. Its constituents would pull in different directions and the ruling coalition would become less cohesive. Though there was no guarantee that the government would last its full term, the Left and Congress might not dare to go for a mid-term election immediately.

The BJP won in Gujarat despite a false propaganda by a majority of the Gujarati newspapers. The development plank, its policies, Mr. Modi’s image and people’s belief that he would fulfil the poll promises were instrumental in the win, he said.

Telangana issue

The BJP was confident of faring well in Andhra Pradesh in the next general election. Besides the anti-incumbency factor, Telangana would be an important issue.

The party would stress that only a BJP-led government could grant them a separate State. The remarks made by “our friends,” praising Nizam’s rule would also work to the party’s advantage, Mr. Naidu added.

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