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A message from L K Advani for Rediff On The NeT's Chat Show

Greetings to the millions of Internet subscribers round the globe.

At the plenary session of my party, commonly known as the BJP, six months back, the party had predicted: 'India is destined to make her entry into the 21st century under the leadership of powerful nationalist forces that are surfacing at every level in this great nation of a billion people. It is the historic task of the BJP to rise to the occasion as the focus of these forces and gently guide India towards the glorious destiny that awaits her.'

In the 1996 Lok Sabha election, the BJP made Good Governance and probity in public life a key issue, and outbeat all its opponents, to become the largest single party in the Lok Sabha. The strength of the Congress party, which till recently has dominated the Indian political scene like a colossus, in the lower House of the Indian Parliament, has sunk to an all-time low.

For the BJP, a party which till 1988 had only two seats in the Lok Sabha, its growth to 86 in 1989, to 119 in 1991 and now to 161 in 1996 has been truly a phenomenal achievement.

Barring the BJP, all other national parties including the Janata Dal and the Communists, have suffered setbacks. But the BJP's growth rate, I must admit, has not been able to match the Congress Party's decline rate!

This election, therefore, has witnessed the rise of several regional parties.

It is obvious, however, that the severely fractured nature of the eleventh Lok Sabha makes yet another early Lok Sabha election inevitable. Ordinarily, the next Lok Sabha election would have been due in 2001. But as things stand, the 12th general elections are likely to take place much earlier, most probably in early 1997 itself. And that would be the BJP's real opportunity to make our Bombay prognosis about gently guiding India 'towards the glorious destiny that awaits her' in the twentyfirst century literally come true! At the moment, all party cadres are engaged in preparations for this forthcoming trial of strength.

Modern communication technology has made the vision of our ancient rishis - Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam (The entire universe is one family) - come true by creating this wired global village. I offer you all my very hearty namaskars (salutations).