Ending uncertainty over its leadership issue, Bharatiya Janata Party on Monday decided to project senior leader L K Advani as its prime ministerial candidate in the next Lok Sabha elections.
Making the announcement, party chief Rajnath Singh said the decision has the consent of BJP patriarch Atal Bihari Vajpayee who has not been keeping well.
The announcement was made after a meeting of Parliamentary Board, BJP's highest decision-making body, which was chaired by Singh and attended by Advani, Murli Manohar Joshi and other senior leaders.
"Lok Sabha elections are not far now. The Parliamentary Board decided unanimously that Advani will lead the party in the next Lok Sabha elections," Singh told a press conference.
He said Vajpayee has given his consent to the decision to project 80-year-old Advani, former Deputy Prime Minister, as the party's prime ministerial candidate.
"We met Vajpayeeji. He said because of health reasons, he cannot participate in active politics. So, it is better that Advani leads the party," Singh told media persons.
