It was BJP's day to 'forgive and forget' the past Monday, January 24 2005 10:18 Hrs (IST) - World Time -
New Delhi:
It appeared to be a day of forgive and forget in BJP (Bharatiya Janata Party) yesterday (Jan 23, 2005) when several leaders who had of late engaged in a war of words were seen together exchanging pleasantries at two separate events.
The first was a party hosted by BJP president L K Advani and daughter Pratibha to mark the screening of a film on Republic Day produced by her.
Former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee and senior lawyer and former Union Minister Ram Jethmalani, who had even fought the last Lok Sabha polls from Lucknow against the BJP leader and rejected his invocation of their long friendship, were present at the do at Advani's residence.
"I may have political differences but I have no social differences with anyone," Jethmalani told reporters.
Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi personally greeted and blessed television actress and BJP leader 'bahu' Smriti Irani, who had recently described him as a "blot" and demanded his resignation for the post-Godhra riots. Though she had later retracted her statement.
A visibly flustered Irani said, "How can there be any gulf with elders?"