Mamata welcomes Advani's criticism of BJP

Welcoming BJP veteran L.K. Advani's veiled criticism of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and BJP President Amit Shah, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Thursday said the comment was "significant".

"As the senior-most politician, former Dy PM and founding father of BJP, the views Advaniji has expressed about extending democratic courtesies, is significant. Of course, all Opposition leaders who raise their voices are not anti-national. We welcome his statement & convey our humble regards," Banerjee wrote on her Twitter handle.

Advani on Thursday said the BJP never regarded those who disagreed with it politically as "enemies" but only viewed them as "adversaries".

"The guiding principle of my life has been 'nation first, party next, self last'. And in all situations, I have tried to adhere to this principle and will continue to do so," he said in a blog post written exactly after four years.

"The essence of Indian democracy is respect for diversity and freedom of expression. Right from its inception, the BJP has never regarded those who disagree with us politically as our 'enemies', but only as our adversaries," he added.