Protest outside Advani's residence: Cong takes potshot at divided BJP

Apparently seeking to drive a wedge in BJP, Congress today said the nation "stands warned" over the kind of "rowdyism" witnessed outside the residence of L K Advani who skipped BJP conclave in Goa reportedly to express his opposition to Narendra Modi getting bigger role in party.

"Today what is happening outside Advani's residence should frighten all of us. If a man who is virtually the architect of that political party is now faced with that kind of rowdyism, then the nation stands warned that what is going to come to them. That terrify us," Congress spokesperson Renuka Chowdhury told reporters here.

The incident outside Advani's residence clearly exposes what kind of treatment BJP leaders and workers mete out to their elders in the party, she said.

"The country has seen the trailer. The full movie yet to be seen. The senior most leaders are being treated in this manner. And the nation remembers these things," Chowdhury said.

As 85-year-old Advani chose to skip BJP's National Executive meet in Goa, a group of Modi supporters staged a protest outside his 30-Prithviraj Road residence in Delhi for "opposing" greater role for the Gujarat Chief Minister.

Holding placards like 'Narendra Modi Zindabad' and 'Bring Modi as Prime Minister', the protesters demanded that Advani should step aside and allow Modi to assume a greater role in the paarty.

Advani skipped the meet, perhaps for the first time in the party's history, apparently to express his opposition to making Modi the campaign committee chief, which will in effect present him as the face of the party for the next general elections.

He cited ill health as the reason for his staying away from the two-day conclave which began today.