Scams tainted country’s image: Advani

Scams under the UPA government have tarnished the image of the country globally and eroded the democratic system, BJP leader L K Advani said on Thursday in Shimla.

Winding up the campaign at Majra in Sirmaur district, just a day before the closing of campaigning for Himachal Pradesh Assembly polls on November 4, Advani reiterated the BJP's resolve to provide a clean and transparent government, "committed to the development of the state, and not loot, as the Congress had been doing in the country". He added that Dhumal government has fulfilled its promise to develop backward areas like Sirmaur, and appealed the people to re-elect BJP.

"It was expected that India would be the world superpower in the 21st century but it had earned an adverse name under the Congress rule. In case the BJP comes to power at the Centre in 2014, it will try to position the country at the top of the world," said Advani.

He also called for open public debate on all issues of public concern like in America and said the candidates contesting polls should debate the issue on a common platform to strengthen democracy. Reiterating his demand for electoral reforms, Advani said simultaneous polls should be held for Lok Sabha and all state Assemblies, voting should be made compulsory and an option to "reject all" should be included in the EVMs.

Expressing concern over continuing cross-border terrorism, Advani said that if any country wages a proxy war against India, it has to be taught a lesson.

Besides Advani, BJP leaders Arun Jaitley, Rajnath Singh, Shahnawaz Hussain and actor Vinod Khanna also addressed election rallies in the state.

Hussain, while slamming the UPA for rampant corruption, and asked Muslims to vote for the BJP. Addressing a rally at Tani in Ani in Kullu district, Jaitley attacked the UPA for "shielding corruption" and said that party has chosen a tainted leader to lead the party in the state Assembly polls.

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