Amid the ongoing verbal battle within the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) over the 2014 Prime Ministerial candidate, Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) lawmaker Harsimrat Kaur on Wednesday said that her party being the oldest and the most trusted ally will stand by the decision taken by the main opposition party in this regard.
“I want to say that the Shiromani Akali Dal has always been with the Bharatiya Janata Party. Shiromani Akali Dal is the oldest and the most trusted ally. There are several leaders within the BJP who are capable of the Prime Minister”s post,” said Kaur, when asked about the BJP leaders speaking in different tones over the prime ministerial candidate.
” I have full confidence that the person selected for the Prime Minister”s post will be able to lead the nation will full competence. And what decision they (BJP) will take, the Shiromani Akali Dal will stand by it,” she added.
The infighting with the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) has gained momentum after senior BJP leader Yashwant Sinha openly pitched for declaring Modi as the BJP”s prime ministerial candidate, saying it will benefit the party in a big way.
Sinha earlier on Monday said there is a strong demand from the common people and workers that Narendra Modi should be declared as the prime ministerial candidate.
“Wherever I go, the party workers and common people demand that Modi should be BJP”s prime ministerial candidate, and now I too think that it will benefit the party a lot. But, it is up to the party leadership to decide on the issue,” he said.
Disapproving Sinha”s bid to project Narendra Modi as the BJP”s prime ministerial candidate, Janata Dal-United (JD-U) chief Sharad Yadav has said that alliances are formed with ”great difficulty”.
“Alliances are formed with great difficulty and BJP leader Yashwant Sinha”s statement is uncalled for in the context of alliances,” said Yadav, who is also convenor of the BJP-led NDA.
Sinha”s comments for projecting Modi as the prime ministerial candidate came a day after the Gujarat Chief Minister held a two-hour long discussion with BJP President Rajnath Singh.
Modi, who secured an electoral hat-trick in Gujarat in December last year, met the new BJP president earlier on Sunday and the duo discussed the future course of action regarding the 2014 Lok Sabha polls.
The Shiv Sena has, however, said that Sushma Swaraj is its first choice for the prime ministerial candidate in 2014. (ANI)