Wary of Modi, nervous BJP named Advani as its Prime Ministerial candidate, says Manmohan (Lead:PM Poll Campaign)

Prime Manmohan Singh on Tuesday said that the decision by the BJP to name its former president L K Advani as the partys Prime Ministerial candidate just ahead of Gujarat polls was taken as the party is increasingly nervous of the polls in the State and feels threatened by its own leader in the State, Narendra Modi.

Vadodara, Dec 11 : Prime Manmohan Singh on Tuesday said that the decision by the BJP to name its former president L K Advani as the party's Prime Ministerial candidate just ahead of Gujarat polls was taken as the party is increasingly nervous of the polls in the State and feels threatened by its own leader in the State, Narendra Modi.

"The BJP felt threatened by Modi and hence felt the need to appoint somebody else as the prime ministerial candidate, a day before the Gujarat election," said Manmohan Singh at a rally here.

Just hours before Gujarat went to polls, the BJP on Monday evening announced Advani as its Prime Ministerial candidate for the next Lok Sabha elections.

The present election campaign by the BJP in Gujarat has been completely overshadowed by Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi, as few central BJP leaders have taken a tour of the State for the poll campaigning.

The timing of Advani's announcement as the party's Prime Ministerial candidate, taking the mantle from former Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee, came as a surprise to many.

The Congress party has termed BJP's latest move as a 'desperate' one.

Speaking to reporters, Singh said that "an atmosphere of fear" exists in the State, which is not good.

"The situation here is not very good, we all are very worried about it. Everybody is not seen as equals. The people are disillusioned with the fake promises and talks. In the name of terrorism a fearful environment is being created to get the votes. Ideologies and policies are being sidelined and a terror environment is being created," the Prime Minister said.

On being asked about the possibility of mid-term polls after CPI (M) general secretary Prakash Karat asked his party's cadres to prepare for it, Manmohan said that polls are "not on the cards."

He said that the Government would take the next step on the Indo-US nuclear deal once its negotiation with the International Atomic Energy Agency comes to an end.

On being asked to comment on the 'merchants of deaths' remark, Singh said the Election Commission is looking into the matter.

ANI