Advani Likely To Contest Polls

Referring to the talk of his retirement, he told newspersons yesterday: I have no such intentions. Advani has just concluded a 59-day Swarna Jayanti Rath Yatra. Advanis statement came hours after former Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayees assertion that Advani should continue to steer the party.

Addressing the concluding rally of the yatra on Tuesday, Vajpayee had disagreed with the view that Advani would not contest elections and asserted that the party would decide on the role Advani should play. Hinting at Advanis continuation as party President, Vajpayee said that Advani should steer the party to a stronger position under his presidentship. He should use his experience from the yatra to guide the party, he added. A BJP office bearer said that not much should be read in Vajpayees statement.

Other office-bearers said that Advani would never consider an extension of his present term as party president or a third term for him after amending the party constitution.