Scotching rumours of a growing rift within the party after L K Advani failed to turn up for the second day of the party’s national executive meet in Goa, BJP spokesperson, Prakash Javelinthrower, insisted that Shri L K Advani is very much trying to make it to Panaji and take part in deliberations but his efforts to book tatkal tickets have been thwarted by the IRCTC server. “There is no basis to the rumours that Advaniji is cut up with the growing clamour to anoint Modi as the BJP’s Prime Ministerial candidate,” asserted Javadekar. “He very much wants to get to Panaji by train and add his voice to the pro- Modi chorus but you know how it is with the IRCTC server.”
The BJP spokesperson said Advaniji has been on his computer all day, frantically trying to book tickets on trains plying between NCR and the scenic southern state but has so far been unsuccessful. “That is why he did not even get time to update his blog either about latest developments in Indian politics,” Javelinthrower said by way of more proof.
BJP leaders said given the way IRCTC is, there is remote chance (less than 1%) that Advaniji may yet be able to book his berth to get to the conclave for the final session but that one must not get one’s hopes too high. Party office-bearers also denied earlier reports that the BJP patriarch was down with stomach flu. “Yes, he was feeling a little queasy after watching Yamla Pagla Dewana part two, and who wouldn’t be, but IRCTC was the real show-stopper,” the BJP spokesperson said.
The Congress has mocked the latest BJP explanation for Advani’s non-show. “Trying to book tickets through IRCTC is equivalent to wilfully not turning up. No one is gonna buy this line,” Congress spokesperson, Rashid Alvi, scoffed.
The veteran leader now reportedly wants to pass time by watching ‘Go, Goa, Gone’ while his colleagues revel in Goa’s scenic beaches but his aides have strenuously advised him from pursuing such a course of action. In related news, Yashwant Sinha revealed the real reason for his absence from the Goa meet: he is afraid of zombies.