Seems as if Advani has given up his weapon, says Congress on praise for Modi

A day after senior BJP leader L.K. Advani indicated that he would be happy to see Gujarat chief minister Narendra Modi become the country's next prime minister, and that he no longer had any differences with him, the Congress Party on Thursday said it seemed as if the BJP stalwart has given up his weapon.

"It seems that Advaniji has given up his weapon," said Congress spokesperson Meem Afzal.

Advani yesterday praised his party's prime ministerial candidate Narendra Modi, and said he would be 'elated' to see the Gujarat Chief Minister in the country's top office in 2014.

"I will be elated if Modi becomes the Prime Minister," Advani said at the inauguration of the Institute of Infrastructure, Research and Management ( IITRAM) campus in Ahmedabad.

"I am proud that our government in Gujarat and Narendra Modi are drawing praise not only in India but also abroad," he added.

Advani was initially against the BJP naming Modi as its prime ministerial candidate for the 2014 general elections in the country, and had stayed away from the crucial BJP parliamentary board meeting on September 13 when the decision was announced.

However, while addressing a rally in Chhattisgarh after the announcement, Advani had publicly praised Modi on his elevation.

"Gujarat has improved a lot in infrastructure and electricity. I give this example because, Narendra Modi, who my party has appointed as the 2014 PM candidate, has done a lot for the development of the state of Gujarat," he said.