Jaswant Singh says, 'My political journey not yet over'

New Delhi, July 30 (ANI): Jaswant Singh, who is all set to lock horns with UPA nominee Mohammad Hamid Ansari for the post of Vice President of India, on Monday said his political career is not yet over, and emphasized that several steps of his long political journey is yet to come.

Singh, who has held many portfolios in the national cabinet including Finance, External Affairs and Defence during the NDA regime, said the upcoming vice presidential election would not bring to an end his political journey.

"I have been the Member of Parliament nine times. It has been a long journey. My political journey is still left. Don't consider it to be at an end. Several steps of my political journey are yet to come," he said.

When asked to comment on the BJP's prime ministerial candidate in 2014, Singh said it is still one year-and-a-half away.

"Now, one and a half years is left. It is said that one week is enough in politics. Who has seen the future?" he said.

Jaswant Singh, who has the committed support of the BJP, Janata Dal-United, Shiv Sena, Akali Dal and several other smaller parties, also expressed confidence that several other political outfits would also back him in the upcoming vice presidential election.

"I have spent initial years of my life in army. If you consider any battle to be lost in the very beginning, then it is not correct. I am familiar with the numbers. But this election is not only based on numbers, a lot of other things are linked with it," said Singh, when asked that many people say that the vice presidential election is a lost battle.

"The whole NDA is there. And part from NDA, I expect that the other political outfits will also support me. It would be correct if I do not comment on this before time," he added.

UPA's vice presidential candidate Hamid Ansari has a definite edge in the vice presidential election, as he has the support of the Congress, Samajwadi Party (SP), Bahuja Samaj Party (BSP), Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD), Dravida Munnettra Kazhagam (DMK), Nationalist Congress Party (NCP), Rashtriya Lok Dal (RLD), CPM, National Conference and several others.

Jaswant Singh refused to comment on Hamid Ansari's conduct as the Vice President of India.

"He has worked with me in the Foreign Ministry. It would not be correct for me to comment on his capabilities. He is still the Vice President of India. I should also respect the dignity of that post," he said.

Jaswant Singh further said it was BJP veteran Lal Krishna Advani, who had initially asked him whether he would consider contesting for the post of President of India or Vice President of India.

"Advaniji had asked me a few days back that there are two constitutional posts, how would it be if we consider your name for it? I did not take this very seriously initially, but he repeated it once and over again following which there were discussions with him. In the mean time, Purno Sangma was declared (the BJP's candidate)," said Singh.

"So, this decision was in true sense based on the advice of others, and not on willingness," he added.

Jaswant Singh further said the Prime Minister's post also does not come up voluntarily, but all depends on one's fortune.

When asked to comment on the allegations and counter allegations that took place during the 2012 presidential election, Jaswant Singh said it would not be appropriate for him to comment on it, but emphasized that the dignity of the two top constitutional posts should always be maintained.

The Vice-President is elected through a direct ballot with Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha members (including nominated) comprising the Electoral College.

A total of 790 MPs are eligible to cast their vote on August 7 to elect the 14th Vice President. By Pankaj Choudhary (ANI)