New Delhi:
LK Advani , whose yatra against corruption starts tomorrow, has said, "The greatest emphasis will be on black money in foreign countries and how it can be used for development of our nation."
Mr Advani's yatra starts tomorrow on the birth anniversary of veteran socialist leader Jaiprakash Narayan from his birthplace in Bihar's Saran district. It will last till November 20.
The senior BJP leader reportedly wanted his yatra- his sixth since 1990- to re-establish him as the face of his party ahead of the next general elections, scheduled for 2014. The BJP's parent body, the Rashtriya Swayamsewak Sangh(RSS) advised him to relinquish aspirations to be the BJP's candidate for Prime Minister. Mr Advani's tour had also upset Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi who has been waiting for a promotion to the national centrestage.
However, the gap between the two men over the yatra could be bridged by their united opposition to the BJP's reinductment of Sanjay Joshi, who was forced out of the party after an MMS scandal six years ago. Mr Joshi attended the national executive meeting of the BJP in Delhi last month. Mr Modi did not. Much was read into the Chief Minister's absence- including an expression of protest against Mr Advani and Mr Joshi.
But NDTV has learnt that the Gujarat Chief Minister has now offered to support Mr Advani's yatra in exchange for the veteran's support against Mr Joshi. Mr Modi has allegedly warned his party that he will write an open letter against Mr Joshi. Mr Advani, sources say, has advised party president Nitin Gadkari to take into account Mr Modi's sentiments on Mr Joshi's re-entry into the BJP.
Like the RSS, Mr Gadkari is believed to value Mr Joshi's organizational skills, which become especially significant given that the party is hitting campaign mode.
Mr Advani said his 40-day yatra will also push for electoral reform and reflect his party's support to the new anti-corruption Lokpal Bill that is being championed by Gandhian Anna Hazare.