Leg II begins with Gandhi’s Ram

‘‘Gandhiji’s idea of Ram Rajya was all-encompassing and Hindutva was not against secularism. That’s is the reason India did not become a theocratic state like Pakistan that was founded on Islam,’’ he said.

Advani began the day by paying a visit to Kirti Mandir, the birthplace of Mahatma Gandhi. ‘‘Even Gandhiji used to take the name of Ram but when we (BJP) do so, we are criticised. Muslims kept away from the Congress at the time of Partition for the same reasons. The Muslim League was against Gandhiji and Congress because he used to take the name of Ram before public meetings…

But Gandhiji’s idea of Ram Rajya was Surajya.’’

Advani slammed the Congress for its failing to convert Swarajya to Surajya in its 50-year stint at the Centre. ‘‘Good governance, development and leadership will be the issues on which the April 20 elections would be fought,’’ he said. Before concluding his speech, however, Advani promised to build the temple at Ayodhya.

Chief Minister Narendra Modi stole the show with his rhetoric and anti-Congress diatribe. ‘‘The party will make a clean sweep of 26 seats,’’ he said. ‘‘Ek bhi Congress bachhe ko jaane nahi denge, papiyon ko sansad dekhne nahi denge (We won’t let a single Congressman enter the Lok Sabha, we won’t let the sinners sit in Parliament).’’