Advani credits Congress for BJP's election victory

Cites 'so many grave errors' and corruption on the part of UPA for saffron party's win

Senior Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Lal Krishna Advani on Friday credited his party's massive victory in the Lok Sabha elections to the Congress. Advani said Narendra Modi “also contributed” to the victory.

Advani, who attended the Independence Day ceremony at the Red Fort, attributed the BJP-led NDA's success in the election to the scams and errors of the Congress-led United Progressive Alliance government. Describing the 2014 general election as "unprecedented", the BJP veteran also said that party workers worked hard in poll battle.

“I have seen all elections since 1952. When 2014 elections were over, I felt, for me and my party this election was unprecedented. I was delighted, as there was never such result. Our party workers worked very hard in these elections,” said Advani, after unfurling the national flag at his New Delhi residence.

The veteran leader, however, said, “But I would not deny that maximum contribution to this victory was from the opposition (UPA). Had they not committed so many grave errors and had people not witnessed so much corruption in the last 10 years, then probably this kind of results would not have come.”

Advani has been seen as somewhat begrudging in his praise for Modi. During the election campaign, the patriarch had described his one time protege as the "best event manager" he had ever seen. On May 16 after it was evident that BJP had won a historic victory, Advani told media persons that the reasons for the victory needed to be studied, including the role played by the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh and Modi.

The 87-year-old leader was more forthcoming to praise Modi's role. "The massive campaign carried out under the leadership of Narendra Modi also contributed to the victory. But the biggest contribution was from our Opposition," Advani said, adding "The expectation from us have gone up because of the spectacular victory."

Thanking the Prime Minister for his extempore speech, Advani said "After the election results, this was the 68th Independence Day. I thanked the PM for not giving any written speech on the occasion of 68th Independence Day. He addressed extempore at the ramparts of Red Fort and it has a good impact on the public."  

Highlighting the importance of the Internet, he said: "The effects of Internet and Information Technology on the public is significant."