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| Saturday, 26 June 2004 |
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Vajpayee's remarks 'made in jest' Mumbai, Friday (PTI) In another flip-flop, Atal Behari Vajpayee sought to backtrack on his remarks indicating that he would not lead the BJP any more by stating that these had been made in "jest". The former Prime Minister had caused a furore in the political establishment last night by stating publicly that he had had "enough" and that he would not not lead the party next time in elections. Since that statement other BJP leaders have had intense discussions with him and obviously persuaded him to stay on. Vajpayee, who has been in the eye of a storm ever since his critical remarks on Gujarat and Chief Minister Narendra Modi, had last night said at a public meeting here that for the first time in his life he was being attacked and that he had enough of it and would not not be leading the party again. He has been blamed by the Sangh Parivar for the Lok Sabha election debacle and has been asked to retire. Surprised by his speech last night, eager members of the BJP National Executive heard him say today that his remarks were made in "jest" and that there was no power struggle within the party. Party President M Venkiah Naidu later told reporters at the end of the three-day Executive that Vajpayee told the meeting that he had made the remarks last night in a lighter vein. |
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