The Hindu : Democracy has won: Advani

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Thursday, Oct 10, 2002

National

National

Democracy has won: Advani

By Our Correspondent

The Deputy Prime Minister, L.K. Advani, being welcomed at the Chandigarh airport on his way to Solan, Himachal Pradesh, on Wednesday. The Punjab Chief Minister, Amrinder Singh, is behind him. — PTI

WAKNAGHAT (SOLAN) OCT. 9. ``All efforts and attempts from across the border to foil the Jammu and Kashmir elections have failed and democracy has survived,'' the Deputy Prime Minister, L.K. Advani, said here today.

Talking to the media here on his one-day visit to Himachal Pradesh, he said that for the first time the whole nation, including the people of Jammu and Kashmir, were more concerned about the percentage of votes polled than discussing the prospects of political parties in the State. People were concerned about democracy and its survival than anything else.

``In an atmosphere of total fear and chaos where nobody could dare to fight elections and where terrorists were sponsored to kill the candidates, 40 to 50 per cent of turnout is remarkable,'' he said.

The elections had a historical importance in the annals of Indian parliamentary democracy.

In Pakistan, former Prime Ministers were not allowed to fight the elections, he said. India's stance on strengthening democracy should not be taken as a softening of its stand on terrorism.

``We are fighting a decisive battle and have already destroyed at least 160 ISI centres and there is no question of talking to Pakistan unless it abandons its policy of cross-border terrorism.''

``There is a definite shift in the past one year and Pakistan has changed its language now. It has started condemning the terrorist acts in India now, which includes the killing of innocent women and children whereas earlier it used to call it as ``azadi ki ladai''.

On calling back the forces from the border, Mr. Advani said there was a periodical review and the decision would be taken collectively.

Earlier, addressing a public meeting, Mr. Advani said the widespread slogans of ``Jai Shriram'' showed that the temple should be built at Ayodhya. But the consent of both the communities should be taken for it.

Mr. Advani was here to inaugurate the Jaypee University of Information Technology in the private sector.

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