Tharoor is a deserving candidate, says BJP

New Delhi, June 20 (UNI) The BJP today described Mr Shashi Tharoor, India's nominee for the UN Secretary General's post, as a well deserving candidate, and said it will come out with a ''structured response'' to the announcement yet.

Mr Tharoor had called on Leader of the Opposition L K Advani at his residence here and is expected to meet former External Affairs Minister Jaswant Singh later today. He will call on former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee here tomorrow.

Congratulating Mr Tharoor and wishing him success, Mr Advani said it would be a matter of honour for India if an Indian were elected to the highest office in the world body.

BJP spokesman Ramshanker Prasad said Mr Tharoor was a well deserving Indian for the coveted post. Mr Tharoor has a creditable record as Under-Secretary General with the UN and is a writer of international repute.

Mr Prasad, however, said the BJP would come out with a structured response to his candidature. He said Mr Tharoor's election and expansion of the UNSC should not be linked, as broad-basing the Security Council was part of UN reforms.

UNI KAS/MCN LR KP1740