Many contenders in BJP for top job: Jaitley

Expressing doubt over whether the Congress would be able to complete its full five-year term in the light of the party getting embroiled in one controversy after another, Arun Jaitley, leader of the opposition in Rajya Sabha, on Tuesday said that the BJP is ready for elections. HT reports.

Expressing doubt over whether the Congress would be able to complete its full five-year term in the light of the party getting embroiled in one controversy after another, Arun Jaitley, leader of the opposition in Rajya Sabha, on Tuesday said that the BJP is ready for elections.

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“I think the situation today suits us,” Jaitley said in an interaction with reporters at IWPC.

Asked about BJP’s prime ministerial candidate, Jaitley dodged the leadership question and said that there are several contenders in the party for the top job.

“Most chief ministers and central leaders qualify for it. There are a number of people who will vie for the first line of leadership in the BJP and eventually when election comes, the best among the equals will emerge as the leader,” he said.

Jaitley said that the UPA government has lost its credibility and is cracking up.

“It is indicative of the mistrust and also weakening of the central authority. The government is cracking up and it looks difficult that it will complete its term,” said Jaitley.

PM candidate

On Gujarat CM Narendra Modi’s prospects of becoming a prime ministerial candidate of the NDA, Jaitley said there was a galaxy of leaders who were capable of becoming prime ministerial candidate and the choice would be made at the right time.

“Modi's fast should not be linked to the elections,” he said. Jaitley said few parties had continued with the structured system and BJP is one such party. “Several other parties have moved away from the traditional structure and are controlled by individuals and families,” he said.

(With agency inputs)