New Delhi:
After causing some discomfiture within the BJP with his "Modi cannot become PM without Advani's blessings" remark, actor-turned-politician Shatrughan Sinha today said he had not violated the party discipline and stood by his comment.
"It is wrong to see my statement as anti-Narendra Modi or pro-Modi...it is pro-BJP," Mr Sinha, a Lok Sabha member from Patna Saheb, told PTI.
"I merely said that if BJP Parliamentary Board chooses
Narendra Modi, whose name is energising party workers, as Prime Ministerial candidate, he should have the blessings and guidance of veteran party leaders L K Advani, Murli Manohar Joshi, Sushma Swaraj, Jaswant Singh and Yashwant Sinha among others," he added.
Two days ago, Mr Sinha had said that senior leaders within the BJP were not being given their due respect or positions, thereby suggesting that the deep chasm between the top rung of the BJP leadership remains unbridged.
Mr Sinha was also one of the notable absentees, along with Mr Advani, at the Goa conclave of the BJP last month, where Mr Modi was chosen to head BJP's national campaign.
Mr Sinha yesterday met Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, whose Janata Dal United broke his 17-year-old alliance with the BJP last month over Mr Modi's promotion.
"I had gone to enquire about his health as I enjoy a personal and affectionate relationship with him," Mr Sinha said.
The break-up was followed by a war of words between the two parties, especially over the Bodh Gaya blasts and the Chhapra mid-day meal tragedy.