Vajpayee urged party to make Advani next Prime Minister

Bangalore, Sep 12 (UNI) BJP patriarch and former prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee has asked party cadres to work for the success of the BJP led National Democratic Allaince (NDA) and make Leader of the Opposition L K Advani the next prime minister.

BJP President Rajnath Singh today told the inaugural session of the three-day national executive that during his discussions with Mr Vajpayee some time ago, Mr Vajpayee was of the view that the organisation was supreme and everyone should work unitedly keeping together body, mind and soul (tan, man, dhan) and contribute to the success of ''yagya of change''.

Mr Rajnath said he was confident of Mr L K Advani who had the 'consent' of Mr Vajpayee to be the next prime ministerial candidate of the BJP and NDA.

''Mr Advani is not only the ray of hope of the BJP but the entire country which was looking at him expectantly. Come let us all collectively move ahead towards establishing a golden future and prosperity of India,'' he said.

Mr Vajpayee has not been attending the national executives for quite some time because of his poor health.

Mr Rajnath said the way the UPA had lost the faith of the people for the last four-and-a-half years was a clear indication that they had made up their mind for a change.

UNI MCN/KAS Mir RAI2102