What others said about L K Advani -- "unlike Vajpayee, he is not very open ..." ::::: "He never thrust anything, religion, Hinduism, any ideology down our throats" ::::: "Advani ji kabhi jhoot nahi bolte"

In course of traveling with him in BSF aircraft to northeast, L K Advani had told some of us how the success of regional parties like the TDP, the AGP and various Lok Dal groups had encouraged him (Advaniji) to believe that there was a ‘big vacuum’ as people were looking for genuine alternative to the Congress”.

Now, that’s political vision for you! And his disciple Narendra Modi is only precisely harping on the same point in circa 2014. 

That's the essential -- "spirit of Congress mukt Bharat"

The lesson: a disciple only carries on the legacy of his Guru’s vision.

Advani and Jyoti Basu 

Here we try to look at some comments from various leaders on L K Advani 

"Advani ji kabhi jhoot nahi bolte (Advani would not say something if it is not true)," - Mulayam Singh Yadav.  

"True, the BJP under the leadership of L K Advani has grown. By pursuing the Hindu fundamental line, the party feels it will grow into a major national alternative," -- Vasant Sathe.   

"He never thrust anything, religion, Hinduism, any ideology down our throats. Just books. Science books about animals. That's because he loves reading." -- Prathiba Advani (his daughter in 1990)  

"I may not agree with some of his views, but I can say that even on issues we differ, I find his exposition and interpretation very persuasive and sharp". - Madhu Dandavate 

V P Singh, H S Surjeet and Advani 

Syed Shahbuddin, chairman of Babri Masjid Action Committee, used to criticise him ...:  "Advani harps on minorityism and pampering. When Muslims gets slaughtered in Meerut, is that minorityism ? When they are butchered in Bhagalpur, is that pampering?" 

Political Shenanigans and commentaries ::::  

'India Today' on March 31, 1990 issue reported :  "His (Advani's) attitude towards V P Singh and Janata Dal continues to be Vive La Difference. And Advani is determined to resist pressure that would in any way destabilise the (National Front) Govt".  

Many senior journalists who covered him would know --- one book that greatly influenced L K Advani has been 'How to win friends and influence people' by Dale Carnegie. 

Advani also used to share an anecdote to caution politicians as well as journalists to stay away non essential messy things in politics. 

The story goes - one English professor once found a note at home left by his daughter -- "I am in love with our chauffeur and I am runing away with him".  

More than getting "unhappy"; the professor was angry and said : "I am a professor of English and my daughter could not spell the word RUNNING properly".  

That's one part of L K Advani.  And he would always say - while Atal Bihari Vajpayee had such a good sense of humour; I was a "rukha sukha (dry)" personality.  

Ends