JD (U) says 'Sushma Swaraj should have been considered first for PM's post'

Hours after Lal Krishna Advani emphasized that the BJP would need to join hands with other political outfits to defeat the Congress, the Janata Dal (United) on Saturday attempted to reach out to senior BJP leader Sushma Swaraj, saying she should have been considered first for the Prime Minister's post as she is a lady and the leader of her party in the Lok Sabha.

" She speaks well and is not in any controversy. But the whole nation is watching as to how this party, which talks about India's culture and civilization, sidelines a woman and an elderly," said JD (U) leader Ali Anwar

He said Advani has not given up his weapon yet.

"His fight in the party is on and there are several other people like him. So, what he has said is a result of that. He is saying that the BJP cannot do anything all alone. It is a coalition era and so none of the parties can do anything all alone," said Anwar.

" He is giving indications that things will not fall in place if Narendra Modi comes forward and it will be counter productive. He might have withdrawn his resignation after taking note of the situation, but the infighting within the BJP is still on," he added.

Anwar further said the BJP is plagued by infighting.

"And the party which is plagued by infighting, how can it lead the nation. If Advaniji separates, how will he put forth his point? This party is damaged with internal conflicts. Did you read his blog? He mentioned about dictatorship...They have become so narrow-minded that those outside do not want to support them," he added.

Speaking at a function organised to pay tributes to Jan Sangh founder Syama Prasad Mukherjee yesterday, the BJP veteran returned to his pet theme of need for unity of like-minded political entities to defeat the Congress.

Advani said the late leader had realised the importance of allying with other parties opposed to the Congress rule during Jansangh's first national meet in Kanpur in 1952.

"His idea is relevant in today's context as well... It is important that the party makes friends," he said days after his party lost its 17-year-old ally JD(U).

Advani quoted Mukherjee on the need for the Jan Sangh to reach out to all non-Congress forces to end the hegemony of the Congress and the BJP leader went on to emphasise that the call was valid even now.

Advani had earlier this month quit all his three party posts after Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi was appointed as the chairman of BJP's campaign committee for the 2014 Lok Sabha polls. He was forced to do a U-turn after RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat stepped in and withdrew his resignation on June 11.