No apologies on Hindutva

Refusing to be apologetic over Hindutva, Advani said ideologies are also intended to promote the welfare of the people. ‘‘In a parliamentary democracy, political parties function for attaining results through government and by achieving power they want to promote the welfare of the people,’’ he said at Talcher. ‘‘Ideologies are also intended to promote welfare of the people and I see no contradiction between the two,’’ he said.

Addressing a meeting from atop his rath at Museum Chhak in Bhubaneswar, Advani said the NDA Government has rekindled a hope among the people that the country will stand out in the world. ‘‘Desh mein ek asha jagi hai. Jo nirasha tha woh hat gaya hai,’’ he said and clarified that, ‘‘Feelgood ka matlab ye nehin hai ki dukh hat gaya hai.’’

Referring to a survey placing Naveen Patnaik as the second best CM, Advani said: ‘‘I have no doubt that he will be the No 1 CM.’’ In his address, Patnaik said he has confidence on the people.

At Cuttack, Advani ridiculed the Congress for its inability to project a prime ministerial candidate and alleged that the party’s ‘‘bad experience in 1999’’ is prompting it to promise to choose its leader after the polls. He said the Congress has not only been an incompetent ruling party, but has also been an irresponsible Opposition.