Advani regrets releasing book on Benazir

Advani regrets releasing book on Benazir
Blue Star Monday, June 09, 2008

New Delhi: After objections by Pakistan Peoples Party, senior BJP leader L K Advani on Monday expressed "regret" for releasing a controversial book on Benazir Bhutto, saying its contents are "disturbing" for anyone who knew the slain Pakistan prime minister.

Advani conveyed the views to PPP spokesman Farhatullah Babar when the latter called him to register objections for releasing the book "Goodbye Shehzadi" last month.

In the book, author London-based journalist Shyam Bhatia claimed Benazir personally transfered nuclear secrets to North Korea by smuggling classified CDs in her overcoat.

"I regret having attended the function. Had I read the contents of the book, I would not have gone for the book launch," Advani was quoted by party spokesperson Rajiv Pratap Rudy as saying.

Advani reiterated that Bhutto was "a good friend" of his and that "the contents of the book are disturbing for anyone who knew her", Rudy said.

Advani visited the function after being "strongly pursued", Rudy said, adding he spent only few minutes there. "The few words he spoke during the launch were based on the glimpses of the book which he was told," Rudy said. Things have been put in "better perspective" after Advani talked to Babar, the BJP spokesman said.

The book has come under attack from PPP which has threatened to take legal action against Bhatia for levelling "scurrilous" allegations against Benazir and showing her in poor light. The PPP has expressed "surprise" at Advani's decision to launch the book, saying his presence at the event had "lent respect to...Some of the wild allegations in the book".

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