UPA ‘unbearable’ but are we ready for power, asks Advani

LK Advani on Friday raised doubts over the party's readiness to take over power even though “the nation is finding the UPA govt unbearable and looking towards the BJP”. Vikas Pathak reports. Sushma, Advani, skip rally | Is BJP ready for 2014? | BJP meet

BJP patriarch LK Advani on Friday raised doubts over his party’s readiness to take over power even though “the nation is finding the UPA government unbearable and looking towards the BJP”.

Advani told the BJP national executive on the last day of the two-day conclave: “The party should be cautious when people ask whether it is ready to take over”.

Observers say Advani’s reference was to the bitter infighting over Gujarat chief minister Narendra Modi's growing clout and former Karnataka CM BS Yeddyurappa’s pitch for making Modi the party’s prime ministerial candidate.

The party hastened to explain — especially after Yeddyurappa’s move — that while Modi was an efficient CM and a tall leader, the decision on his candidature would be taken later.

During the conclave, the BJP strove to present a picture of “unity” and showcased the attendance of Modi, Yeddyurappa and former Rajasthan CM Vasundhara Raje as the meet’s high points.

The list of speakers and posters did not feature Advani, Prasad said.

He said Swaraj — who had been billed as a speaker in the rally — informed a day ago that she would not address the rally, since she had to attend an event in Ghaziabad on Saturday morning.

Earlier, Advani called the UPA the most “inefficient, ineffective, corrupt and insensitive” government since independence and said Prime Minister Manmohan Singh was totally helpless.