New Delhi: Buffeted by multi-pronged attacks from Congress and other parties, L K Advani has received strong backing from BJP patriarch Atal Bihari Vajpayee who said the nation needs his "strong leadership".
Unable to campaign due to his ill health, the former prime minister issued an appeal seeking support for BJP and said the nation needed "strong leadership" of Advani who would "bring forth his best achievement as Prime Minister".
On the eve of the first phase of polling, Vajpayee reminded the people of the previous NDA government's performance and told them that it was the "golden opportunity for you all".
The four-page open letter issued in the form of a pamphlet does not bear any signature of Vajpayee but carries a picture showing him offering sweets to Advani.
"I am obliged to each one of you for showering love on me with your wishes while I was ailing. I am more concerned about the health of the country than of myself. The remedy to this problem can only be a strong leadership and determined government which BJP has promised under the leadership of Advani," Vajpayee said in the appeal.
He said Advani, as Prime Minister, would bring forth his "best achievement" as "the biggest feat of Advani's career" is yet to come. "This election is a golden opportunity for you all," he added.
"Let us pledge to make India strong under the leadership of L K Advani and under a government led by him," he said.