NDA Prime Ministerial candidate L K Advani has said the BJP is confident of getting newer allies after the elections. “I will not like to name any particular party, but while I’m broadly satisfied with the number of parties having joined the alliance, I do think that there are other parties which might be willing to come along after the elections.”

In an interview to The Indian Express, Advani also disclosed he had requested former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee to enter Rajya Sabha after the latter decided not to contest for Lok Sabha but he declined.

“While the addition of the Asom Gana Parishad, Indian National Lok Dal, Asom Gana Parishad, Rashtriya Lok Dal, and Gorkha Janmukti Morcha to the NDA is satisfying, I do think that other parties might be willing to come along (post-election),” he said.

On the absence of a national agenda for governance which the BJP had said would be unveiled before the first phase of election, Advani said: “Our (BJP) office-bearers considered this matter, and the unanimous view of our party and the JD(U) was that we do it later. Most probably, it would be brought after the elections.”

Asked about a renewed debate on shuchita (probity) in the party, especially in the wake of attempts to bring in individuals with tainted background into the party fold, Advani said: “I am emphatic that in the name of expanding our influence, we should not compromise with probity.”

Speaking on a wide range of issues, Advani admitted that there were two views in the party in the wake of the 26/11 attack. “There were suggestions that we should call for action (after the Mumbai attack). I said an Opposition should not even think of such a line because it’s only someone who is in government, and who has access to full inputs on the whole situation or the possible consequences, should take a decision.”

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