From correspondents in Madhya Pradesh, India, 05:32 PM IST

Responding to speculations of L.K. Advani quitting as the leader of opposition, senior Bharatiya Janata Party leader Sushma Swaraj Sunday said it would be 'painful' to replace him.

'I can't think of replacing Advani as BJP leader,' Swaraj told reporters here.

'It is beyond my imagination to replace Advani as the opposition leader.'

Advani had told a meeting of the BJP parliamentary board Sunday evening to elect a new leader after the National Democratic Alliance came a distant second to the Congress-led United Progressive Alliance in the general elections.

(Staff Writer, © IANS)