Raising the issue of black money stashed away in foreign banks, BJP's Prime Ministerial candidate L K Advani said on Wednesday that if the money is routed back to the country it could be used for development work.

"If the money is brought back, India will not have (financial) shortage of any kind, Advani said adding "the world's most powerful and influential countries have raised this issue."

"If lakhs and crores of rupees of India is stashed in foreign banks, it should be brought back. If we pursue this matter, then there won't be hindrance in our country becoming number one in the world," he said.

"The 20th century belonged to the Western world. We will ensure that the 21st century belongs to India," Advani said while accompanied with Chief minister Narendra Modi at a public function to open the party's office in Gandhinagar.

"I had written a letter to the Prime Minister Manmohan Singh when this matter came to my notice, asking him to enquire about it. However, i was only given a formal reply," the 81-year-old BJP candidate from this Parliamentary seat said.

Speaking further on the black money issue, Advani said, "This task can only be accomplished by a government which has the support of the people of India. Only NDA administration, be it in the Centre or in the states, has delivered and has the support of its people."

He also mentioned how the German government pressurised the country where the banks are situated to give the list of people who have deposited money with them. This list was given to them and the Germans have told any country interested that they could avail the list from them free of cost, the four time MP from Gandhinagar said.

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