Kulu (Himachal Pradesh): Kick-starting Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)'s poll campaign in Himachal Pradesh, Deputy Prime Minister L K Advani on February 12 pooh-poohed Congress' "dilemma" on ‘hindutva’ and defended Chief Minister P K Dhumal against corruption charges levelled by the Opposition.

Addressing reporters ahead of a public rally, Advani said, "Even late Rajiv Gandhi had launched his campaign from Ayodhya promising to establish a 'Ram rajya'. Even the Gujarat campaign (of Congress) was started after offering prayers at a temple."

"They (Congress) are confused and do not know which line to pursue," he said.

Advani was responding to a question on the liberal ‘hindutva’ of the Congress vis-a- vis BJP's "hardline ‘hindutva’".

While asserting that the party would contest the poll on developmental planks, he, however, said, "We will respond if the Opposition rakes up issues such as Ayodhya and ‘hindutva’."

Later addressing an election rally in Dhalpur grounds, Advani made no reference to Ayodhya or the Ram temple and sought a positive vote based on the five years' performance of the BJP government.

Taking strong exception to the allegations of corruption levelled against Dhumal, he described them as a "bunch of lies without any basis".

In an apparent reference to the Punjab government's raids at Dhumal's relatives in the state which yielded nothing, Advani said, "They themselves have realised their mistakes."

Even Dhumal's critics concede that he is honest, Advani said.

He said unprecedented development in education and other sectors has taken place in the state during the BJP regime and promised that if the party was voted back to power, it would convert the state into India's Switzerland in terms of tourism, employment and prosperity.

PTI