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April      Last updated: April 29,  5:00 p.m.

THE BJP has reached its present strength as a result of our collective efforts. We have seen many joys which have been preceded by many a tear, sweat and at times even blood of our cadres. We have entered a crucial stage in our journey. Our acceptability has improved-it will improve further. This is because we are different and we speak a language which strikes a cord with the people. We must endeavour to maintain our distinctiveness as a party. Our political behaviour will determine this.

The crucial question we face is, what after this political success? We are in power at the Centre and in several States. We have to concentrate on improving the quality of governance. A Governance must concentrate on serving the people and keep the national interest paramount.

Our success has resulted in our opponents adopting an unpredictable behaviour. We have been in opposition for a very long time but we never stooped so low. The kind of language used by some Opposition leaders on the issue of Constitution review has reached an all-time low. But we must maintain a dignified posture. We must endeavour to raise the level of the debate on this issue. The debate should be within the parameters of constitutional propriety; not provocative as some opposition leaders are doing.

The Congress has adopted political negativism-from Pokaran to Kargil. What the Congress party delegation told President Clinton was not what it informed the nation. The Congress party delegation told President Clinton that India needed a minimum nuclear deterrent. The Congress spokesman informed the media of this. Later the party denied having ever said this. Petty political considerations brought about this political somersault.

But we should not allow ourselves to be bogged down by unnecessary controversies. We have to look ahead and deliver what the people and the nation expect. This is a joint responsibility of all NDA partners. All the NDA allies have a very co-operative attitude. I am getting the best of co-operation from our allies. We must be very careful about our statements to the press. We must resist the temptation of speaking out too frequently. I have read some reports on betting in cricket. Government has no proposal to legalise betting. We are all for eliminating this menace.

All functionaries in the Government and the party must be particularly careful and sensitive when we speak on issues relating to the minorities.

We must ensure that our programmes get the support of the party and we should endeavour to carry all sections of the society with us in this task which we have undertaken.