Advani to hold Leader of Opposition's post for full term

New Delhi, Aug 7 (PTI) Notwithstanding L K Advani's
initial reluctance to take up the job of Leader of Opposition
after the party's Lok Sabha (Lower House of Indian Parliament)
poll debacle, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader and
the party on Friday made it clear that he would continue to
hold the post for its full term.

Putting the lid on speculation of the 81-year-old
leader's early retirement from politics, the BJP declared that
he has been elected Leader of the Opposition "without a
deadline".

"We have elected him for a full term. We did not elect
him Leader of Opposition with a deadline...I am saying this
with my authority as his deputy," Deputy Leader of Opposition
Sushma Swaraj told reporters.

Swaraj made the remark at the press conference
addressed by Advani, who was projected as National Democratic
Alliance (NDA)'s prime ministerial candidate in the last Lok
Sabha polls.

Seeking to endorse Swaraj, Advani said, "Whatever I
agree to was of my own volition. The kind of political life I
have and the kind of appreciation I have received from the
country...I don't do anything on which I am reluctant."

Besides, he told the questioner, "If your question is
a suggestion for action, I will certainly ponder over that."

After BJP's defeat in the Lok Sabha elections, Advani had
told the party top brass that he was not interested in
becoming Leader of Opposition and the party should choose
somebody else.

However, he was persuaded to change his mind when the
party could not reach a consensus on his successor due to
sharp divisions in the second rung of leadership.

The announcement by BJP has come ahead of the party's
'Chintan Baithak' called to go into the poll debacle that has
shocked the organisation.

The brainstorming session of senior BJP leaders is being
held in Shimla from August 19 to 21 which seniormost party
leaders are expected to attend. PTI RC
SDE
NNNN