New Delhi: Deputy Prime Minister L K Advani today (Mar 6, 2004) expressed apprehension that the "feel-good" factor could lead to complacency in the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).

"The possibility of complacency setting in as a consequence of over-confidence in the party worries me. Which is why I keep telling my partymen to tread cautiously," he told senior journalist Prabhu Chawla on 'Aaj Tak'.

Asked about his role and political ambition, Advani said, "I pity those who think that I am a member of the wedding party. If Atal Bihari Vajpayee is the message, I have no problem in being the messenger and the medium," according to a press release issued by the news channel.

He said BJP's objective was not just to win the elections, but "to play a decisive role along with the NDA".

Asked whether BJP wanted to win a majority and dispense with the National Democratic Alliance (NDA), the Deputy Prime Minister said he wanted the association of BJP allies to continue in future.

"They have helped us make federalism work better in the country than how it would have worked if we were alone in power as a single party," Advani said.

The release said Advani hinted at the possibility of BJP "not being able to win a complete majority by itself", saying it was "not possible today for one party to rule the country".

To questions on film stars and other prominent persons joining his party, he said BJP was not hankering for them. "We are not taking stars. They are coming to join us."

He referred to Maneka Gandhi and said she had been a Minister in the NDA Government even when she was not in BJP. "Her joining our party has nothing to do with the 'Gandhi' name".

In another interview to Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) mouthpiece 'Panchajanya', the Deputy Prime Minister claimed that several contentious issues, including construction of a temple in Ayodhya, could be resolved if BJP returned to power.

"There is no doubt that the issue of construction of a Ram temple could be resolved amicably and peacefully only when BJP comes back to power," Advani was quoted as saying by 'Panchajanya' in a release.

Observing that Partition was the prime factor for the tensions between Hindus and Muslims, Advani said the resolution of problems between India and Pakistan could reduce these tensions and create an amicable atmosphere.