Mumbai, Jun 11 (IANS): Actor-politician Shatrughan Sinha, one of the best known Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leaders from Bihar, has reportedly thrown his weight behind BJP patriarch L.K. Advani, who relinquished all party posts after Narendra Modi was named the lead campaigner for the 2014 general elections.

It's an open war in the BJP's ranks with prominent party members sharply divided in their loyalty towards Advani and Gujarat Chief Minister Modi, respectively.

According to an informed source, Sinha has taken extreme umbrage to Modi being projected as the BJP's prime ministerial candidate.

The source very close to Sinha spoke up on the issue saying: "It's true Shatruji is down with an attack of flu. But that is not the real reason why he didn't attend the Goa conclave. Shatruji is very upset that Modiji is being projected as the BJP's prospective prime minister."

"As far as Shatruji is concerned, there is no other person in the BJP more qualified for the job than Advaniji. And to project anyone else in Advaniji's place is insulting to Advanji who has given his life and sweat to building the party. It's, therefore, insulting to the party's image as well."

The source from Sinha's camp asserted that the star-politician would throw his weight behind Advanji, no matter what the high command decides.

Said the source: "Shatruji feels there is no valid reason for sidelining Advaniji. Unlike Atal Bihari Vajpayeeji, who is in frail health, Advaniji is fit and fine and, by the grace of god, in the pink of health. To Shatruji, Advaniji's self-discipline and his supreme honesty are qualities of leadership. Advaniji is both physically and spiritually qualified to lead the country. For Shatruji, Advaniji is the man to lead India in the next elections."

Then there is the Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar-factor.

"With Nitishji openly challenging Modiji's power and strength, Shatruji wouldn't want to pitch his loyalty in any place that would antagonise Nitishji," said the source.