With L K Advani insisting that he does not want to be the Leader of the Opposition again, senior BJP leader M M Joshi on Sunday tacitly backed his decision and indicated that he could be ready to take up the job.
Joshi, considered a bete noire of Advani, found fault with the election campaign strategy and selection of candidates but refused to directly blame any person for the poll debacle.
"Advani ji is the most important and seniormost leader. He takes decisions after due consideration. He is setting a good example," Joshi told reporters in New Delhi when asked to comment on Advani's insistence that he does not want to be the Leader of Opposition again in view of the party's dismal performance.
While making it clear that he backs Advani's decision, Joshi said he (Advani) had been projected as the Prime Ministerial candidate and "as the party did not come to power, he wants to take responsibility (for defeat) and step down... This should not be looked from the negative perspective".
On whether he was vying for Leader of Opposition's post, Joshi said "I am not in any race. But if I am given any responsibility by the party, I do not shy away. I am a humble BJP worker and will do as my party bids."
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