Sushma is fit to be PM, says Congress leader Digvijaya

New Delhi: Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Sushma Swaraj was on Thursday compared to former prime minister Atal Behari Vajpayee by Congress leader Digvijaya Singh, who said the Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha was fit to become prime minister, a praise that left her unimpressed. Addressing a "Agenda-Aaj Tak" programme organised by TV Today Group, Singh lavished praise on Sushma, saying it's her "right" to be the contender of Prime Minister's post.

"In British Parliament, the Leader of Opposition is considered the shadow prime minister. If we go by that system, Sushma should be the shadow prime minister here also. But I was surprised when Sushma declared someone else as the contender of prime minister's post in Gujarat. It is your right Sushma ji," Singh said. The AICC general secretary also said the BJP leader matches with the liberal and moderate face of Vajpayee and will be acceptable to other political parties also.

"In BJP, a moderate face is seen in Vajpayee...In today's environment, if there is any person who will be acceptable to other parties, it will be Sushma ji. Because she does not have the RSS tag behind her and after Vajpayee, if there is any person with a moderate and liberal face, it is Sushma," Singh added. Downplaying Singh's praise, Sushma said the Congress leader has an old habit of creating disputes.

"Digvijaya Singh has an old habit of creating disputes and the same thing he did here today. There are several ways of creating disputes and too much praise is one such way. Today he used the same method here," she said. On her recent statement during Gujarat election campaign, where she spoke about Chief Minister Narendra Modi's ability for prime minister's post, she said the BJP has many able people and Modi is one of them.

"I had said that Narendra Modi is eligible and capable for this post. I still stand by that statement, who can say he is not eligible and capable," Sushma said. "BJP has five to six people who have the ability...If BJP has so many people capable of being prime minister then it is BJP's strength and not its weakness...There is a difference between claimants and those who are eligible."