Advani scotches reports about RS nomination

Scotching reports that he may be nominated for Rajya Sabha, senior BJP leader L K Advani today made it clear that he will contest the next Lok Sabha elections, saying this is "in my mind".
"I have not said anything (about going to RS) and if somebody offers me this suggestion I will think about it. But it is natural, I think, that if I had to consider it I would have done it earlier," Advani told reporters after unfurling national flag at his residence.
Asked if he would fight the Lok Sabha elections, he said, "this is what in my mind".

There have been some unconfirmed reports that BJP was considering nominating Advani to the Rajya Sabha in an apparent bid to consolidate its prime ministerial candidate Narendra Modi's position in the party.
Advani, who represents Gandhinagar from Gujarat in the Lok Sabha, had opposed Modi's elevation and, though, he showered praise on him during the party's recent National Council meeting, many Modi supporters remain wary of the veteran leader's moves.
On President Pranab Mukherjee's Republic Day-eve speech, Advani said it was "significant" that Mukherjee found it imperative to speak against "populist anarchy" in his address to the nation yesterday. The BJP leader, however, declined to comment any further.

"I will only say that on today's occasion I will not comment on anybody even though it is significant, more so as the President found it necessary to comment on this," he said.
Mukherjee's remarks were seen as a dig at the AAP government in Delhi whose Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal had launched a dharna outside Rail Bhawan to press for action against some police officials. He later withdrew it after his demands were partially met.
The BJP leader also agreed with Mukherjee's appeal against a fractured mandate and said he hoped that the country would have a government with a complete majority after elections.