Saturday, April 9 2005 09:38 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Mumbai: Denying reports that he was reluctant to accept the post of senior vice president in the party, senior Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader M Venkaiah Naidu yesterday (Apr 8, 2005) said that his taking up the post after being party president would set example for others.

"I have held every post in the party so far and my taking up the post of vice president after being party chief would set example for others," Naidu told reporters in Mumbai.

"There is no issue of my promotion or demotion in the party on being appointed as the vice president and all that matters was emotion and total devotion to the party," Naidu said.

He said media reports over his reluctance to take on the responsibility entrusted to him and he considering it as demotion were wrong.

Naidu, who stepped down to make way for L K Advani take over as party President six months ago after the debacle in Lok Sabha and Maharashtra Assembly elections, said Advani was the most suitable choice to head the party after the polls.

"I have accepted to take up the responsibility entrusted on me by the party chief in the interest of the party," Naidu said.

"Advani also convinced me to assist him by taking up the post despite my request to contribute without taking any post," he added.

The BJP leader said he was prepared to work under Advani's leadership and added that the party chief was superior to him and was instrumental in preparing second generation of party leaders.