I'm On a Political Holiday in Kodagu: Advani
TNN - Pics by KPN Bangalore

MADIKERI, Jun 24: The small town of Sidappur is swarming with Black Cat commandos. Reason: Senior BJP leader L K Advani is taking a five-day break at a resort there. He arrived on Tuesday with his wife, son and daughter-in-law.

Advani was clearly reluctant to speak about his political career. "I will have a cup of coffee with you, but no questions on politics, please. I am on a political holiday," he quipped.

However, on landing in Virajpet, Advani did oblige the media. Asked about his purported interest in the party president's post, he said the BJP has other leaders who can easily slip into the mantle.

Advani recalled his last personal visit to Kodagu when he'd called on Field Marshal K M Cariappa, his "good friend''.

This was the first time he was taking such a long holiday with his family, Advani said. He wanted to be left alone so that he could "commune with nature''. "Kodagu is beautiful and let me enjoy it," he said.

Bangalore South MP Ananth Kumar is also holidaying with Advani. 

"I have No Aspirations to become BJP President" - L K Advani

Daijiworld Media Network - Madikeri (SP)

"I have no aspirations of becoming the national president of the BJP again. As there are people capable of discharging the duties attached to the post and carry the responsibility that comes with it, I do not want to become the BJP president again," clarified veteran BJP leader and opposition leader in the Lok Sabha L K Advani.

He was speaking to the media persons at the helipad located at the Virajpet junior college ground, on his arrival in the district for rest and recuperation for five days, on Tuesday June 23. He sought to allay the reports that appeared in a section of the media that he would be the next president of the BJP.

On the question of the UPA getting the opportunity to run the union government again, he said the people of the country have voted for the UPA with an eye on stability and that he bows before the verdict of the people. "Even in the past I have said, the verdict of the people is accepted wholeheartedly. At the national level, the BJP and the Congress are the only parties to have crossed the three-digit mark. Left parties have suffered a severe setback.  At the same time, I am disappointed that my party could not perform to the expected level," he explained.

He expressed his happiness to have come on a visit of Kodagu district, where he wants to spend five days without any tensions, in the company of his family members. He said, he would like to take rest at the Orange County here, by reading and moving around. He requested the media not to raise questions on politics as he had come here to take complete rest.

Grand Welcome: On his arrival in the district at about 3.30 pm, the district administration and the district unit of the party accorded a grand welcome to Advani. He was accompanied by wife Kamala, son Jayant and daughter-in-law Ritika. District deputy commissioner Ashwath Narayan Gowda, in-charge superintendent of police J D Prakash, zilla panchayat chief executive officer Mirza Akbarulla, Virajpet in-charge tahsildar Krishnamurti, heads of the local bodies, Madikeri town municipal president P D Ponnappa and others offered him bouquets. By evening, BJP leader Anant Kumar also came to the district.