Advani to continue as Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha

New Delhi, May 18 (PTI) Grappling with the aftermath
of the parliamentary election defeat, India's main opposition
BJP Monday persuaded L K Advani to continue as Leader of the
Opposition in the Lok Sabha probably with a view to avoiding
jockeying for the post among its next rung of leaders.

81-year-old Advani, who had decided to step down from
the post after his bid for Prime Minister's post failed, was
"requested" by the party to stay on in the new Lok Sabha.

BJP president Rajnath Singh said Advani has agreed to
continue as Leader of BJP's Parliamentary Board. "Therefore,
it is understood that he will also be the Leader of the
Opposition in the Lok Sabha," he said.

On Saturday, as the results trickled in Advani had
expressed his desire not to become the Leader of the
Opposition. He had asked the Parliamentary Board to choose
another leader but it did not agree with his request and
keeping in view his insistence, the party president was
authorised to talk to him to change his decision.

"Since the party felt that it needed the leadership
and guidance of Advani, it requested him to agree to be the
Leader of the Party in the 15th Lok Sabha," Singh told
reporters.

"When Advani was informed that the party needed his
leadership and guidance to rebuild itself to meet the
challenges of the future, as it suffered a setback in the Lok
Sabha elections, he agreed not to persist with his
suggestion," Singh said. PTI NAB
PMR
NNNN