Mulayam heaps praise on Advani

For the third time in as many weeks, SP supremo Mulayam Singh Yadav on Sunday heaped praise on BJP leader L K Advani, describing him as an honest person who has suffered a lot during the country's partition.

"People get angry when I say Advaniji is an honest person, he has suffered a lot during the country's partition and has spent a life in hardship.

"But, if a person is truthful and honest, irrespective of the party he belongs to, he should be praised," said the SP chief, who had earlier described Advani as the "tallest leader" in the country.

The former UP chief minister also praised Jawaharlal Nehru, saying although he was the son of a rich man, he participated in the freedom struggle and suffered a lot.

Yadav attacked the UPA government for its "weak" foreign policy, saying no country was standing by India at this hour.

"At the time of Sino-India war, our neighbour Sri Lanka was with us, among other countries. However, now it has left us," the former defence minister said.

Yadav also attacked the Centre on the issue of rise in prices of essential commodities.

"Godowns are full of wheat and rats are feeding on them. There is also no place to store sugar. But these items are getting out of reach of the common man due to corruption at all levels," he said.

Yadav also said, "People should be politically aware and keep changing governments, so that they are always on their toes."

He advised political leaders not to be carried away by any praise or criticism in the media.