People somewhat disillusioned with BJP: Advani

New Delhi, March 9: BJP leader LK Advani has admitted that people are "somewhat disillusioned" with his party, about which he feels "distressed". He faulted the party's handling of Karnataka affairs in the wake of corruption allegations against the then CM BS Yeddyurappa in 2010, in a veiled criticism of Nitin Gadkari who was the party president at that time.

"In the last few years, I have been feeling distressed to find that while the current mood of the people is against the present ruling party, they are simultaneously disillusioned with even the BJP," Advani told Week magazine in an interview. Underlining that BJP is "expected to have zero tolerance towards corruption", the former deputy prime minister said, "The manner in which we actually wrangled in Karnataka disappointed me."

He did not elaborate, but was clearly referring to the dilly-dallying by the party high command on removing Yeddyurappa after the corruption allegations against him cropped up. Yeddyurappa, whose government was the first by BJP in any southern state, was finally forced to quit as chief minister months after the allegations against him surfaced.

Referring to the BJP conclave held here last week, Advani said he had "become very emotional" and was "sad" at the public disillusionment with his party. At the same time, the BJP veteran said he was "optimistic" about the party's future.

PTI