Ahmedabad:
Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi today denied that he kept a pointed distance from senior BJP leader LJK Advani at a rally in Gujarat yesterday. Unwilling to lend more credence to the theory that there's a thinly-disguised rivalry between the two men, Mr Modi sat right next to his senior at a public meeting in Bharuch. That's unlikely, however, to end the debate of "kissa kursi ka" or "the politics over the seat of power."
Yesterday, he ignored the two ceremonial chairs placed for Mr Advani and him at a rally in Vapi, choosing a chair that would not place him next to Mr Advani. The media commented on the fact that there was no eye contact between the leaders.
Mr Advani is currently on the Gujarat leg of his nationwide Jan Chetan Yatra -a tour he has dedicated to promoting clean governance. Many have described this as Mr Advani's attempt to position himself as the face of the BJP and as its prime ministerial candidate ahead of the 2014 general elections - status that Mr Modi allegedly covets as he seeks to move from Gujarat to the national ring of political heavyweights.
Mr Modi allegedly opposed suggestions that Mr Advani begin his yatra from Gujarat, forcing his senior colleague to inaugurate his tour from Bihar with public endorsement from Chief Minister Nitish Kumar. That has been read by some as a reverse snub by Mr Advani to Mr Modi, who has been upset with the Bihar Chief Minister's decision last year to declare his state off-limits to Mr Modi. Mr Kumar heads the Janta Dal (U) and runs his government in partnership with the BJP. During last year's election in Bihar, Mr Kumar told the BJP that Mr Modi could not be flown in for the campaign. Mr Kumar did not want to risk any dilution of his strong secular image. Mr Modi's alleged complicity in the communal riots of 2002 in Gujarat has been studied by the Supreme Court via special investigation team. A court in Gujarat has been asked to determine if there's enough evidence to merit a formal case against Mr Modi.
Yesterday, he ignored the two ceremonial chairs placed for Mr Advani and him at a rally in Vapi, choosing a chair that would not place him next to Mr Advani. The media commented on the fact that there was no eye contact between the leaders.
Mr Advani is currently on the Gujarat leg of his nationwide Jan Chetan Yatra -a tour he has dedicated to promoting clean governance. Many have described this as Mr Advani's attempt to position himself as the face of the BJP and as its prime ministerial candidate ahead of the 2014 general elections - status that Mr Modi allegedly covets as he seeks to move from Gujarat to the national ring of political heavyweights.
Mr Modi allegedly opposed suggestions that Mr Advani begin his yatra from Gujarat, forcing his senior colleague to inaugurate his tour from Bihar with public endorsement from Chief Minister Nitish Kumar. That has been read by some as a reverse snub by Mr Advani to Mr Modi, who has been upset with the Bihar Chief Minister's decision last year to declare his state off-limits to Mr Modi. Mr Kumar heads the Janta Dal (U) and runs his government in partnership with the BJP. During last year's election in Bihar, Mr Kumar told the BJP that Mr Modi could not be flown in for the campaign. Mr Kumar did not want to risk any dilution of his strong secular image. Mr Modi's alleged complicity in the communal riots of 2002 in Gujarat has been studied by the Supreme Court via special investigation team. A court in Gujarat has been asked to determine if there's enough evidence to merit a formal case against Mr Modi.
How may i help you today
Show full article
Track Latest News Live on NDTV.com and get news updates from India and around the world
