Advani can't topple UPA government: PM

New Delhi, Dec 18: Taking a dig at Leader of the Opposition L K Advani for reportedly nurturing the ambition of becoming Prime Minister, Dr Manmohan Singh today said the BJP leader would have to ''wait for a very long time'' to have his wish fulfilled.

The Prime Minister made the remark while intervening in a debate in the Lok Sabha on the Indo-US nuclear deal.

Dr Singh said Mr Advani was painting a scary picture over the deal which was far from reality in a bid to topple the UPA government.

''You will have to wait for a very long time'' if he had to have his dream fulfilled, the Prime Minister said, pointing to Mr Advani, who was seated opposite.

The UPA members endorsed Dr Singh's remark by thumping their desks.

Further, Mr Advani would have to seek the permission of former prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee to have his wish fulfilled, Dr Singh said.

The Prime Minister's remarks come in the wake of Mr Advani's recent interview to a television channel that it was not necessary to be the BJP President to be nominated for the post of PM.

To drive home his point, Mr Advani had clarified that when he was BJP President he had proposed the name of Mr Vajpayee for the post of Prime Minister.

UNI