Atal did not seek clarification from Advani on Kandhar issue:Rajnath

By Staff
|
Google Oneindia News

New Delhi, Apr 15: BJP President Rajnath Singh today emphatically denied that former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee had questioned leader of the opposition in the Lok Sabha L K Advani's remarks on freeing terrorists in exchange for Kandhar hostages in 1999.

''This is rubbish, there are no basis to these reports, Atalji has not sought any clarification and has not made any such comment,'' Mr Rajnath Singh said.

Dismissing these reports as mere speculation, he said,''Atalji has not made any statement in this regard and has not spoken to me about this at all,'' the BJP president said during an interview with Aaj Tak's Seedhi Bat to be telecast tomorrow.

Mr Singh made these clarifications in view of the media reports that Mr Vajpayee was upset with Mr Advani for his comments saying that the latter, who was Home Minister at the time of Kandhar hostage crisis, was not in favour of releasing terrorists to secure the freedom of passengers.

The reports had also said that Mr Vajpayee telephoned Mr Advani and asked him to give clarifications which the latter declined following which Mr Vajpayee refused to attend the Lucknow rally of Mr Advani.

Denying reports that there was lack of coordination between the party president and Mr Advani as the latter planned his Bharat Suraksha Yatra even without consulting him, Mr Singh said, ''We are working very closely. In fact both the yatras were planned simultaneously and there was no communication gap between him (Advani) and me.'' Asked about BJP's Prime Ministerial candidate in future, Mr Singh said, ''Till the time Atalji and Advaniji are there nobody can even dream of becoming the Prime Minister from the BJP, leave alone me. I treat Atalji and Advaniji as father figures, how can a son even think of taking place of his father?'' About UPA Chairperson Sonia Gandhi's resignations from Parliament, National Advisory Council and other trusts, the BJP President said that she had no option but to resign. ''So, her resignation should not be taken as sacrifice as it is being made out to be by the Congress party.''

UNI

For Daily Alerts
Get Instant News Updates
Enable
x
Notification Settings X
Time Settings
Done
Clear Notification X
Do you want to clear all the notifications from your inbox?
Settings X
X