LK Advani, 82, may quit as opp leader soon

BJP’s seniormost leader LK Advani celebrated his 82nd birthday on Sunday amid reports he may quit as leader of the opposition “after overseeing” a change of guard in the party organisation and election of a new president to replace Rajnath Singh by end of January.

Rajnath Singh wished Advani on his birthday and said that the leader had taken the party to new heights in Indian politics. “I pray for his good health so that he continues to give us his guidance,” he said, adding that there can be no two opinions on Advani’s efforts in taking BJP to new heights.

President Pratibha Patil sent flowers to him while prime minister Manmohan Singh and Lok Sabha speaker Meira Kumar greeted him over phone. BJP workers and supporters wished him with bouquets, gifts and sweets.

Born on November 8, 1927, in Karachi, Advani has held many important positions both in the BJP and in the Union government. He was the deputy prime minister in the Atal Bihari Vajpayee government, swept out of power in a shock election defeat in 2004.
The controversy over Advani continuing to hold a significant position began after the party’s debacle in the May 2009 Lok Sabha polls where he was projected as PM candidate. There are indications, including from the RSS, that Advani may quit as leader of the opposition once BJP gets a new president as incumbent Rajnath Singh’s term ends next month.