Uma Bharti meets Advani, persuades him to lead NDA

Former BJP leader and Bhartiya Janshakti Party president Uma Bharti met LK Advani and persuaded him to continue leading the alliance as there was no other person of his "stature and clean image" in the NDA.

Former BJP leader and Bhartiya Janshakti Party president Uma Bharti on Sunday met LK Advani and persuaded him to continue leading the alliance as there was no other person of his "stature and clean image" in the NDA.

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"Since in today's circumstances there is no other leader of Advani's stature, clean and non controversial image, everybody should together forcefully persuade him to continue as their leader," Bharti told reporters after meeting Advani.

However, she did not specify whether she wanted Advani to be the leader of opposition or be the head of NDA.

Bharti said she had told Advani that it was under his leadership BJP had increased its tally from two Lok Sabha seats in 1984 to forming a BJP-led government twice.

She said though Congress had lost thrice in 1996, 1998 and 1999, it has not changed its leader.

Bharti said even the NDA wanted Advani to continue as its leader.

Asked about Advani's state of mind after the poll debacle, she said "He was smiling, he is very happy. He is in fine health."

She said she had no intention of joining the BJP but would continue to support and work for the party.