Shiv Sena: L K Advani BJP's tallest leader

Mumbai, Mar 23 The Shiv Sena Saturday said L K Advani would remain the "tallest leader" of the BJP irrespective of his poll presence, two days after the party nominated its chief Amit Shah from Gandhinagar, a seat spoken to by the BJP patriarch.

In a publication in the party mouthpiece "Saamana", the Sena said Shah challenging instead of Advani is politically translated as the 'Bhishmacharya' of Indian politics being "forced" to retire.

"Lal Krishna Advani is known as the 'Bhishmacharya' of Indian politics, yet his name does not feature in the list of BJP's candidates for Lok Sabha polls, which isn't amazing," the edit said.

The Sena said the development underlined that the BJP's Advani era has come to an end.

"Advani has been chosen from Gujarat's Gandhinagar constituency six times. Presently, Amit Shah will contesting from that seat. This simply means Advani has been forced to retire," the editorial said.

Marking a generational move in the BJP, the party recently declared candidature of Shah, will's identity contesting his debut parliamentary election, from Gandhinagar.

Advani, 91, had served in as Union home minister and deputy prime minister. He won the Gandhinagar seat six times.

After Prime Minister Narendra Modi drove the BJP to massive victory in 2014 and Shah was made the party president, Advani was made a member from Margdarshak Mandal (group of mentors).

The Sena stated, "Advani was one of the establishing individuals from the BJP, who along with former prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee steered the rath of the party ahead.

"Yet, today, Modi and Shah have taken the place of them (Vajpayee and Advani). An environment has already been made in the party to guarantee that seniors don't get any responsibility this time," it stated.

The Sena further said Advani has played a "long innings" in politics and would remain the "tallest leader" of the BJP.

The Sena is contesting the next month's Lok Sabha elections in alliance with the BJP.

The Sena said it didn't trust that a pioneer holds his top position only if he continues to be in active politics.

The Uddhav Thackeray-drove party also assaulted the Congress which has said the Gandhinagar situate has been snatched from Advani.

"The party (Congress) ought not talk about insult to elders. The then prime minister P V Narasimha Rao, who had guided the Congress governments in troublesome occasions, was insulted by the party even after his demise," it said.

The Sena also referred to the 2013 incident when Rahul Gandhi tore an ordinance(on protecting convicted lawmakers) in the presence of the then prime minister Manmohan Singh.

"What happened with Sitaram Kesari (former Congress president who was succeeded by Sonia Gandhi)?....Therefore it does not suit the Congress to talk about respecting elders," the Sena said.

Praising Advani, the Sena said he was in charge of extending the BJP's footprint the nation over.

"Every shining sun needs to set. The BJP could reach the top because of Advani's 'Rath yatra' in Ayodhya in 1990s. The BJP is reaping (dividends) because of Advani's toil," the Sena said.