Mumbai: Pitching for L K Advani, BJP leader Shatrughan Sinha today said the party misses the stalwart's "active participation" in organisational affairs and called for his "guidance and consultation" on important issues.
"I can say that Advaniji has been a friend, philosopher and guide. He is the ultimate guru, and leader not only to me but to the entire BJP. Definitely, we miss his active participation.
"I can only hope, wish and pray that Advani is taken into confidence. There should be consultations with him and his guidance should be there. I also wish him health and long life so that he can lead us for many more years," Sinha told PTI in an interview.
Asked about the perception that Advani was not given due importance in the party, Sinha said, "That is for the people to see and decide. We are passing through rough weather. But we shall sail through."
Asked if the Modi government has lived up to the expectations of the people, Sinha said, "This is a very subjective issue, of living up to the expectations of people.
"I know that people have tremendous expectations, not only from the BJP but also from the leadership, our action hero, the dynamic and dashing Mr Narendra Modi," the former Union minister said.
Referring to senior BJP leader and former finance minister Yashwant Sinha's dig at the party leadership that "All those who are above the age of 75 were declared brain dead on May 26, 2014," the actor-politician said it would always be better to have some guides and guardians.
"On Yashwant Sinha's remarks, I feel that had we (BJP) had some more guides and guardians, it would have been better. Things would have been set right even before they deteriorated so fast," the BJP MP from Patna Saheb said.
Asked if he thought that so much damage control would not have been required in the backdrop of controversies dogging the Modi government had senior leaders been given due importance in the party, Sinha said, "We have people. People should come to the fore.
"If we turn everything into a photo opportunity, then somewhere, we are failing our leader, our Prime Minister. We have to be extra vigilant, extra careful."
About BJP does not seem to be utilising his appeal among voters in Bihar elections, despite his popularity in his home state, Sinha said, "It does not matter. I have got no demand, no complaint and no expectations. That is their wisdom. I have no ambition."
"I am not in the race for Bihar CM's post. If asked are you pro-Modi or pro this or that, I will say that at the moment, I am pro-Bihar. I am for Bihar's economic growth. Bihar must get the place it deserves," the veteran Bollywood actor said.
On the Lalit Modi-Vasundhara Raje controversy, Sinha said, "I will say that there is a need to speak in one voice on this issue."
"So far, these are all unsubstantiated claims by our friends in the opposition. Such claims should not only be refuted strongly, but in one voice," he said.
Asked if that 'one voice' should be that of the PM, Sinha said, "I don't want to make any comment and make the issue more messy."
