Advani's interview not objectionable : Rajnath

New Delhi, Dec 12 (UNI) BJP President Rajnath Singh today said the party was proud of Atal Bihari Vajpayee-L K Advani duo which had propelled the BJP as a major political force in the country, and there was hardly anything objectionable in Advani's interview.

Sought for his comments on the issue, the BJP President said it was clear that the press note issued by the channel about the interview it carried was 'totally different' from the interview that was telecast last night. He said Atal-Advani team was the most enduring doubles team in the world polity lasting five decades and was incomparable.

Sources close to Mr Advani said their leader was of the feeling that the root of the problems lay in the press note circulated to the media claiming to be on the basis of the interview.

Earlier, former BJP President M Venkaiah Naidu clarifying on behalf of the party said the controversy was 'totally uncalled for' and the party found nothing 'objectionable or debatable' in the interview telecast. "I urge upon all the concerned who have got influenced by the newspaper reports but did not view the interview to go through the full text of the interview," Mr Naidu said.

Asked why the BJP was issuing a clarification two days after the controversy broke, Mr Naidu said the interview was telecast only last night and the party couldn't possibly react without seeing it.

"Now that we have seen the interview, the party has absolutely no problem with the interview," he said.

Mr Advani in the interview had touched upon several issues including projecting himself for the Prime Ministerial chair in his capacity as 'PM in waiting' and said he did not expect former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee to 'return favours' in the run up to 2009 Lok Sabha elections.

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