Advani to be Leader of Opposition for full term: Swaraj

New Delhi, Aug 7 (ANI): BJP's Deputy leader in the Lok Sabha, Sushma Swaraj, today made it clear that Leader of the Opposition L.K. Advani has been elected to the post for a full term, putting aside speculation over his continuance.

"We have elected him for a full term. We did not elect him Leader of Opposition with a deadline...I am saying this with my authority as his deputy," Swaraj told reporters with Advani by her side on Friday.

Advani endorsed what Swaraj said during the meeting with the press at the end of the first budget session of Parliament.

"Whatever I agree to is of my own volition. The kind of political life I have and the kind of appreciation I have received from the country...I don't do anything on which I am reluctant," he said.

Advani's comments acquire significance as they come ahead of the "Chintan Baithak" (brainstorming session) the party plans to hold in Shimla in the third week of August.

Senior leaders including Yashwant Sinha, Jaswant Singh and Arun Shourie have accused the leadership, including Advani, of not doing any soul searching on the defeat and instead rewarding people they feel were responsible for the party's defeat. (ANI)