Advani trying to use Govt to placate Vajpayee: Dasmunsi

New Delhi, Jan 10 (UNI) Taking exception to BJP leader L K Advani trying to use the UPA government to placate his senior party colleague Atal Bihari Vajpayee by getting him the Bharat Ratna award, Information and Broadcasting Minister Priya Ranjan Dasmunsi today said the government would follow the due procedure in the selection of personlities for the civilian awards.

After hastily managing to get himself declared as the BJP's Prime Ministerial candidate, Mr Advani was now seeking to mollify Mr Vajpayee by seeking the country's highest civilian award for him, Mr Dasmunsi told reporters who sought his reaction on the issue after he had briefed them on the weekly Cabinet meeting.

Instead of writing to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh demanding the honour for Mr Vajpayee, the Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha should have tried to settle the issue, suitably honouring him within the party.

Mr Vajpayee was an elder leader and ''we respect him.'' However, there was a set procedure for choosing the candidates for various honour, including Bharat Ratna, and this would be followed while giving such awards, the Minister said.

Asked about his views on Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Mayawati's demand for SPG protection, he said it was for the Home Ministry to decide on the issue.

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