In a show of unity between a party patriarch and his protégé, and a clear message to party workers, L K Advani filed his nomination for the Gandhinagar constituency in the presence of Narendra Modi on Saturday.
Advani has represented this constituency in Parliament five consecutive times.
This was Advani's first visit here after having shown reluctance to contest from Gandhinagar. Accompanied by his daughter, he presented a contrasting picture from the time he had expressed his apprehensions of contesting from the constituency.
Showering praise on the BJP prime ministerial candidate prior to filing nomination papers, Advani said Modi should not be considered his protégé, and should not be compared with the might of Atal Bihari Vajpayee. Addressing party workers, he said he had always admired Modi for his management and execution skills. “He has always been a good manager of events, and I have admired him for that. He has always been a determined person and a decision-maker, and that reflects even in his governance,” said Advani.
Advani added that he was glad the BJP was contesting under Modi's leadership. “This is probably the first election where the results are known much before polling is held,” he said.
Sitting by his side and expressing more confidence towards Modi, Advani said the party had made the right decision by declaring him as its prime ministerial candidate.
“The decade gone by was one of the worst phases of the country, and different power centres always hampered progress,” said Advani. Expressing confidence, he said when the BJP came to power under Modi’s leadership, they would ensure that the country recovers all its lost glory.
Reciprocating to all the praises showered on him , Modi said, “Election was not only a reason to serve the people of the nation but also ensures service to elders like Advani.”
He said it was under the leadership of Advani and Vajpayee that the party grew for generations. “I have had the personal advantage of being with Advaniji, and it was by holding his hand that I have walked into politics,” said Modi.
Meanwhile, as a show of solidarity and to ensure that Advani would not face dissidence, ministers from the Modi cabinet also accompanied the veteran.
Prior to this, Modi’s aide Amit Shah and cabinet minister Anandiben Patel had also conducted road shows in their constituencies to ensure a clear margin of victory for the party patriarch.
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