JD(U) has no objection to BJP anointing Advani: Sharad Yadav

New Delhi, Dec 11 (UNI) Janata Dal (United) President Sharad Yadav today admitted having differences of opinion with BJP leader L K Advani on many issues but said his party had no objection to BJP projecting Mr Advani as the Prime Ministerial candidate.

Asked whether NDA constituent JD(U) welcomed the BJP anointing Mr Advani, Mr Yadav said the BJP was the biggest constituent of NDA and it had the right to choose its leader.

''We have no objection to it,'' Mr Yadav said thereby setting at rest the speculations that the JD(U) being a secular party might oppose Mr Advani's projection as future Prime Minister by the BJP.

When pointed out that Mr Advani was considered as fundamentalist leader, Mr Yadav said he had differences of opinion with Mr Advani on many issues but he did not consider him a fundamentalist.

Regarding whether Mr Advani's anointment would give force to Mr Narendra Modi, Mr Yadav pointed that in Gujarat, JD(U) was not contesting elections with the BJP but separately. Even in 2002, the JD(U) had contested separately. ''Our opinion on Narendra Modi differ from what Mr Advani has on him.'' He said the JD(U) was a constituent of NDA till the time the BJP not raised contentious issues of Babri Mosque, Article 370 and Common Civil Code. ''If the BJP raised these issues once Mr Advani comes at the helm of affairs, we would reconsider our decision,'' he said.

About Mr Atal Bihari Vajpayee being more liberal and acceptable, Mr Yadav said due to health problems, Mr Vajpayee would not be able to contest election again and hoped that Mr Advani would also be acceptable to the people.

UNI