Time for BJP veterans, including Vajpayee, Advani, to retire

Bangalore, June 7: The time finally has come for Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) when the party is expected to take few major decisions regarding its future moves ahead of General Elections. BJP leaders, including Narendra Modi, Sushma Swaraj, Rajnath Singh, Arun Jaitley and many others reached Goa to attend party's the two-day conclave beginning from Friday, June 7.

However, veteran party leaders -- LK Advani, Atal Bihari Vajpayee, Uma Bharti and many others skipped the meeting on the very first day. The senior leaders of the party decided to give a miss to the meeting citing health issues.

Despite having several differences of opinions, the party is still trying to maintain an equilibrium between its young and veteran leaders. However, it seems that it is the apt time for veterans, including Advani and Vajpayee, to announce their retirements. The seniors should step aside making a way for the young generations to lead the party in its upcoming battles.

While 88-year-old Vajpayee has been away from active politics due to indisposed health conditions, the BJP though still has reserved a Parliamentary Board seat for him for many years now. 85-year-old Advani is still struggling to be nominated as the party's PM candidate for Lok Sabha elections. Even 79-year-old Murli Manohar Joshi may step down making a space for leaders like Sushma Swaraj, Arun Jaitley, Narendra Modi, Rajnath Singh.

According to experts, BJP should take a bold move to win upcoming Lok Sabha elections which are expected to be held in 2014. The party should declare its PM candidate to win the elections. While many support Narendra Modi, a pro-Advani group within the party has been opposing Modi's candidature.

Speaking about the crucial Goa meet, BJP spokesperson Rajiv Pratap Rudy was quoted as saying, "There is expectation among the cadre that BJP president Rajnath Singh will give out a clear message to the party at the Goa conclave. He has been working on it and is in consultation with BJP top brass and members of Parliamentary Board prior to the conclave."

Now, when the party is all set to take a crucial decision, it seems that BJP should begin a new journey with young BJP leaders such as -- Modi, Swaraj, Jaitley who also have proved their strengths. Modi has proved his power and popularity after winning Gujarat assembly elections for three consecutive times. Swaraj and Jaitley always stand for the party whenever it faces any difficulties.

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