No discontent over vacating Varanasi seat for Modi: Joshi

Varanasi, May 12: BJP leader Murli Manohar Joshi today denied any discontent over vacating the Varanasi seat for Narendra Modi and shifting to Kanpur. Joshi said there was a "development wave in the country" which is being led by BJP's Prime Ministerial candidate.

"There is a wave for the formation of a BJP-led government which will be formed on the basis of a thumping majority. The issue today is about a strong leadership and a strong government on which Modi matches up to expectations," he said after casting his vote here.

He refused to comment on whether he would be in the cabinet if a BJP government is formed, saying at the moment he was only looking to become an MP. Joshi said there was "no question of any discontent on the issue of vacating the Varanasi seat and shifting to Kanpur".

The BJP leader said he expects the voting percentage in Varanasi to increase this time as the number of voters have increased. Asked about the alleged violation of the model code of conduct in his constituency, Joshi said it was the job of the Election Commission to check all such instances and the poll body should depute strong officers and personnel for the polling exercise to check such practises.

He rued that "training" of polling officials was not upto the mark this time, saying that officials were only interested in getting the exercise done anyhow. He said the official poll machinery should also be made aware and geared up for the polls on the lines of the awareness drive launched for voters.

PTI