PM Narendra Modi Lauds LK Advani's Blog, Calls 'Nation First, Party Next, Self Last' True Mantra of BJP

New Delhi, April 4: Shortly after BJP patriarch LK Advani issued his first statement after being denied ticket for the upcoming Lok Sabha polls, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said the blog written by the former deputy PM sums up the "true essence" of the party. Lauding Advani, Modi said he is proud to serve as a "karyakarta" for the party shaped by leaders like him.

"Advani ji perfectly sums up the true essence of BJP, most notably the guiding Mantra of ‘Nation First, Party Next, Self Last.’ Proud to be a BJP Karyakarta and proud that greats like LK Advani Ji have strengthened it," Modi said.

The blog of Advani, published two days before the BJP Foundation Day is celebrated, has been interpreted in a mixed manner by the analysts. While his assertion of 'Nation First, Party Next, Self Last' is being perceived as a veto to the BJP's decision to replace him with the incumbent party chief Amit Shah from the Gandhinagar constituency.

However, Advani's critique on politics of nationalism is being considered as a veiled jibe at the party top brass, which has allegedly sidelined him.

"The essence of Indian democracy is respect for diversity and freedom of expression. Right from its inception, the BJP has never regarded those who disagree with us politically as our “enemies”, but only as our adversaries," Advani said.

"Similarly, in our conception of Indian nationalism, we have never regarded those who disagree with us politically as 'anti-national'. The party has been committed to freedom of choice of every citizen at personal as well as political level," he added.

His remarks come amid BJP president Amit Shah and Prime Minister Modi repeatedly charging the Congress and the Left of siding with the "anti-India" forces.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Apr 04, 2019 09:10 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).