New Delhi:
Senior BJP leader LK Advani, who recently found himself isolated in the party over Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi's elevation, was today praised by party President Rajnath Singh as the 'foremost ideologue'.
Mr Singh, along with party leader M Venkaiah Naidu, showered praise on Mr Advani at a function to observe the 61st death anniversary of party founder Shyama Prasad Mookerjee in New Delhi. Mr Advani was the main speaker at the event.
"If there is any foremost ideologue of the party, it is Advaniji," the BJP chief said while speaking about the patriarch's association with the party founder.
Mr Naidu, former BJP president, while speaking on the occasion, described Mr Advani as the 'tallest leader' of the BJP.
The comments assume significance as Mr Advani recently found himself isolated in the party after he opposed appointment of Mr Modi as the Election Campaign Committee chief on June 9.
To register his protest, Mr Advani resigned on June 10 from all the key party posts, despite which Rajnath Singh made it clear that there will be no going back on the decision to elevate Mr Modi.
Mr Advani, however, withdrew his resignation on June 11 after RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat intervened.