New Delhi: The cold vibes between the BJP’s veteran leader L K Advani and the party’s prime ministerial nominee Narendra Modi were well known. But there seems to be some reconciliation after the Gujarat chief minister emerged as the undisputed leader of the party following the massive Lok Sabha mandate in its favour.
The mood in the party here yesterday ahead of the parliamentary board meeting was different from earlier with both the sides trying to project that all was well.
This was unlike the scene witnessed when the party released its manifesto last month. At that time, Advani, along with other senior leaders Sushma Swaraj and Murli Manohar Joshi, gave the cold shoulder to Modi. Modi also avoided them for most of the time at the function.
Yesterday, however, in a show of unity, party veteran Advani and Modi appeared cordial.
As the parliamentary board meeting started, party president Rajnath Singh and Modi, who led the BJP to a thumping victory, exchanged sweets in celebratory fashion.
Modi tried to pick up a piece of sweet for Advani too who was standing next to Rajnath Singh.
Advani, however, insisted that Modi take the sweet from his hands.
The BJP veteran also offered him a bouquet, after which Modi bowed to touch his feet, and Advani hugged him in return. The same scene was repeated when they came to address the media. Modi again touched Advani’s feet, while the latter hugged him back, in a gesture that looked choreographed.
Unlike her last major appearance at the BJP headquarters at 11, Ashoka Road for the manifesto release, Sushma Swaraj this time arrived smiling, and even came forward to wave at the hundreds of media persons.
No senior leader came to greet her when she came to the party office to attend the meeting, which decided to meet May 20 to discuss government formation. IANS
