New Delhi, September 16
Three days after LK Advani’s public demonstration of his displeasure over the anointment of Narendra Modi as the BJP’s prime ministerial candidate, the veteran leader today praised his one-time protégée, describing him as a colleague who had put Gujarat on the fast track of development.

Addressing a gathering after dedicating to the nation a 500-MW power plant of the Hasdeo extension project of Chhattisgarh State Power Generation Company Limited in Korba district of poll-bound Chhattisgarh, Advani said, “Gujarat is the first state in the country to achieve 100 per cent electrification of all villages. And the credit goes to Narendra Modi.”

LK Advani during the dedication of the Hasdeo Thermal Power Expansion Project in Korba town on Monday. PTI

He expressed hope that with Gujarat Chief Minister at the helm (after being declared BJP’s prime ministerial candidate), all good works undertaken by BJP governments in various states would be replicated across the country. “Today, if he (Modi) has been entrusted with the responsibility of the country by my party, then all good tasks undertaken by our governments in various states would be carried out all over the country,” Advani said.

Referring to Modi and Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan in the same breath, Advani praised the Gujarat Chief Minister for being the first in providing electricity to all villages in his state, a task that has now been accomplished by Chouhan.

“It was Narendra Modi who did this task first (of providing electricity to all villages of the state),” Advani said.

“Shivraj Singh Chaouhan took a pledge of providing electricity to every village in the state. He first provided electricity in three districts. He has now completed this task. If someone who did this task first of all, it was my colleague Narendra Modi,” he said.

Praising Chhattisgarh CM Raman Singh, he said, “Raman Singh always thinks for his people and the youth. I thank him and his cabinet colleagues for making Chhattisgarh a power-surplus state.”

“I am told that when the government was formed, no party leader was interested in taking charge of the energy department. Then Raman Singh said he would take care of it and made such a remarkable development on this front,” he said.

Praise of Modi from Advani’s mouth has brought relief to the saffron party that had been finding it increasingly difficult to defend Advani-generated embarrassing issues plaguing the party.

Though a section credited ace lawyer Ram Jethmalani with the turn of events, sources say it was the RSS disdain that ensured that the veteran leader fell in line. Even while senior leaders had been trying to pacify Advani and get him on board over the weekend, the BJP’s ideological mentor had made it clear that no one from the party should do or say anything to further confuse the voters.

This was Advani’s first public meeting after the party overruled his reservations on the timing of Modi’s elevation. The veteran leader had wanted the announcement after the five-state Assembly elections, though BJP spokesperson Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi insisted that Advani was the “happiest person” when the decision was taken.

The open involvement of the RSS leadership-chief Mohan Bhagwat and prominent members like Bhayyaji Joshi and Suresh Soni-in party matters is an indication that the organisation would take active part in directing the BJP’s course in days to come.

Advani is not expected to do anything immediately that will further widen the gap with the RSS leadership, sources say, adding that he may wait till the Assembly elections to see their outcome and then react accordingly.

(with PTI inputs)

The endorsement

* Gujarat is the first state in the country to achieve 100 per cent electrification of all villages. And the credit goes to Narendra Modi

* With Modi at the helm, all good works undertaken by BJP governments in various states will be replicated across the country

* Modi's praise from Advani’s mouth has brought relief to 
the saffron party that had been finding it increasingly difficult to defend Advani-generated embarrassing issues plaguing the party.