BJP defends Advani's perception on party's credentials

New Delhi, Mar. 10 (ANI): The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Sunday said party veteran Lal Krishna Advani's remark was a reminder to pull up their socks ahead of the 2014 general elections.

In an interview to a weekly, Advani said he feels 'distressed' that the BJP was not gaining as much as it should in the public perception.

"In the last few years, I have been feeling distressed to find that while the current mood of the people is against the present ruling party, they are simultaneously disillusioned with even the BJP," he said.

Defending Advani's remark, BJP leader Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi said the veteran leader was the guiding light of the party and he would get the workers back on track, if he feels they are lagging.

"Lal Krishna Advani is our leader and our most respected and senior member. And in order to strengthen the party from time-to-time, if there are any drawbacks in the party he has been guiding and warning the party members," he said.

Congress leader Rashid Alvi said that Advani was right about the BJP's lost touch with the people, but the Congress had the support of the common man.

"Advaniji is correct in saying that the common man has lost connect with the Bharatiya Janata Party, but the other half of his remark on the Congress party is completely wrong," said Alvi.

"In the past nine years, our government has done a lot of work for the people of this country and the 2014 election would prove that the people of this country are standing with the Congress Party,"

In his interview, Advani also said that the people of the country were also disappointed with the Congress because of their poor economic policies and various corruptions scams.

Communist party of India (Marxist) leader Prakash Karat, however, agreed with Advani, and said that both Congress and BJP were guilty on the count of corruption.

"What he has said is fact because there is no difference between the BJP and the Congress. Whether it is policies or corruption there is no difference between the two. Hence, what Advaniji has said is the truth," he told media in Patna. (ANI)