Advani seeks second term for Shivraj

Jabalpur, Nov 25 (UNI) The Bharatiya Janata Party's prime ministerial nominee L K Advani said that BJP would retain power in Madhya Pradesh on the basis of development and welfare programmes of the Shivraj Singh Chouhan government.

While addressing his last election meeting in poll-bound Madhya Pradesh here yesterday, Mr Advani claimed that the Shviraj Singh Chouhan-led BJP Government had performed better and carried out more development as compared to the previous Congress regime. Hence, it should be given another chance.

He has issued a clarion call to people to exercise their franchise.

Exhorting educated and aware people residing in urban pockets to cast their votes, he said, ''It is unfortunate that people from rural areas cast more votes than their urban counterparts.'' He alleged that the Congress-led Centre has failed on all fronts, including inflation, terrorism and suicides by farmers in different parts of the country. Inflation had made life difficult for common man and several thousands of people had been rendered unemployed.

''After the UPA came to power, terrorists had become emboldened.

Most terrorists involved in several bomb blasts in various of the country have still not been arrested,'' he said.

He alleged that the Congress was not carrying out execution of Parliament attack convict Afzal Guru despite the court's order due to its minority-appeasement policies.

On the other hand, Sadhvi Pragya Singh Thakur was being tortured although there was no evidence against her.

''This was divulged in an affidavit submitted by the Sadhvi and statement made by her in Nasik court,'' he said, adding that the Sadhvi had stated that the ATS officials had threatened to strip her.

The BJP leader alleged that efforts were being made to defame the Hindus by coining new term 'Hindu terrorism'.

For the coming Lok Sabha polls, the BJP's slogan would be -- Jeetegi BJP evam Jeetega Bharat (BJP will win and India will be victorious). The BJP was not just willing to came to power but also to strengthen the country.

He added that the BJP had pledged to develop 21st century into the century of the country.

UNI RG-KV PS 1407