Vajpayee showers praise on Advani

A day after the BJP declared that he was the undisputed leader and prime ministerial candidate for the Lok Sabha polls next year, Prime Minister AB Vajpayee on Wednesday brought the twin mascot controversy to an end by showering praises on his deputy LK Advani.

A day after the BJP declared that he was the undisputed leader and prime ministerial candidate for the Lok Sabha polls next year, Prime Minister AB Vajpayee on Wednesday brought the twin mascot controversy to an end by showering praises on his deputy L.K. Advani.

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Inaugurating the party's Chintan Baithak at Rambhau Mhalgi Prabodhini, Vajpayee kick-started the campaign for the parliamentary polls by appealing to his partymen to explain to the people the achievements of the NDA government.

Party general secretary Pramod Mahajan on Tuesday said Vajpayee would lead the party in the next elections and would be the NDA's prime ministerial candidate.

Vajpayee while inaugurating the Baithak on Wednesday morning said, "Not only is he (Advani) a source of strength for me in the government, but he also devotes a lot of his time and energy to guide the party in its work." His statement assumes significance as it prepares the ground for "informal talks" with Advani, who would join the session on Wednesday night after his arrival from U.K., is concerned.