BJP rift out in the open, LK Advani targets Nitin Gadkari

New Delhi: The rift between the BJP top brass is out in the open with senior leader LK Advani criticising party president Nitin Gadkari over the crucial decisions taken during UP elections and also the handling of the crisis in Jharkhand and Karnataka units of the party. Advani took on Gadkari in his blog, saying that the mood in the BJP is not upbeat.

"The mood within the party these days is not upbeat. The results in Uttar Pradesh, the manner in which the party welcomed BSP ministers who were removed by Mayawatiji on charges of corruption, the party's handling of Jharkhand and Karnataka - all these events have undermined the party's campaign against corruption," wrote Advani.

Advani backed senior BJP MPs Arun Jaitley and Sushma Swaraj and added, "The fact that we have a sizable contingent of MPs in Parliament today as against the niggardly two seats in 1984, that our performance in the two Houses under Sushmaji and Jaitleyji has been excellent, that the party is in power in as many as nine states today is no compensation for the lapses committed. I had said at the core group meeting that if people are today angry with the UPA government, they are also disappointed with us. The situation, I said, calls for introspection."

Advani criticised Gadkari over the decisions taken during UP polls, and for the crisis in Jharkhand and Karnataka BJP units.

Advani also said that the party needs to introspect. "If people are angry with UPA, they are upset with the BJP," pointed Advani.

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