Not everything shining: Advani

MANDATE 2004

Everything is not shiny in shining India. At least that is what Deputy Prime Minister LK Advani seems convinced about. "India is shining, but I am waiting for the day when I can say India has shone completely," he said while addressing his maiden election campaign meeting at Khariar Road, in the Nuapada district of Orissa.

In fact, a similar comment by Advani that "all is not well in shining India" had earlier created quite a flutter in the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) circles. But Advani, known to speak his mind, appear not to mind such flutters.

Advani, however, was all praise for the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) government, led by Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee, saying it was making an "honest attempt" to ensure the progress in all fields with special emphasis on rural development and healthcare.

"During Vajpayee's six-year rule, the country's prestige has gone up among the international community and it has generated a new hope and confidence among the people".

He blamed the Congress for all ills besieging the country. If India's progress had been impeded any way, it was because of the 48 years of the Congress misrule, he said.

The deputy prime minister pointed out that the government had prepared plans to ensure education for all, drinking water, health care, road connection and water for irrigation by 2020. "It is a big challenge and the government is committed to it," he said.

The deputy prime minister asserted that the NDA government was providing good governance.

Earlier ,In the last leg of his month-long Bharat Uday Yatra, Advani arrived in Orissa to a grand reception at the border. As his hi-tech rath rolled onto the Jonk river bridge, about two km from Khariar Road in the Nuapada district, from Chhattishgarh, Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik and state BJP chief Manmohan Samal along with a large crowd were present there to welcome him.

Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Raman Singh who accompanied Advani to Orissa border saw him off at this point before returning to Raipur.

The entire stretch between the Jonk river bridge and Khariar Road town was a riot of colours with long rows of the BJP's saffron and the BJD's green flags lining up the streets. Enthusiastic crowd gathered at Bileinjal, Tarbod, Udyanbandh, Komna and Khariar to have a glimpse of the deputy prime minister.