Date:17/12/2002 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2002/12/17/stories/2002121707491100.htm

National

Be humble in victory, Advani tells partymen

By Our Staff Reporter

NEW DELHI DEC. 16. Describing the results of the Gujarat election as "people's verdict,'' the Deputy Prime Minister, L. K. Advani, today said the Congress had lost because it had focussed on an individual instead of fighting on issues.

"During the 1981 elections, our campaign was based on the Indira hatao slogan. The Congress turned it into garibi hatao and won the elections. The Congress has repeated the mistake made by us then in the Gujarat elections. Our campaign (this time) was based on the threat to national security, and not a single leader,'' he said. Urging the BJP to "accept the victory with humility,'' he said "the main concern for us now should be to ensure that we fulfil our promises by fighting terrorism.''

Mr. Advani was speaking at the inauguration of a painting exhibition on the Parliament attack. The former Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister, Farooq Abdullah, who was also present, said that with the Gujarat poll outcome, "the credentials of the Congress of being a secular party have been questioned.''