Shillong:
With cricket fanfare on, film star turned politician Suresh Oberoi drew parallels from the game and asked the people not to change the winning combination of the Vajpayee-Advani duo.
''When two batsmen are set on the crease and getting runs, one should not wish to change the combination. Likewise, when the country is shining under the leadership Atal Bihari Vajpayee, who is in full form, do you want to experiment with a new Prime Minister,'' Oberoi told a Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) rally.
''Those who cannot see India is shining are blind. Take out their black glasses and throw away,'' Oberoi said.
Refusing to buy the idea that film stars were being used by political parties in the run-up to the elections, he said, ''Nobody can use you if you do not want to be used.''
The cine star said he joined the BJP after being impressed by the works of the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) Government and leadership quality of Atal Bihari Vajpayee.
Stating that he was neither paid nor invited by the BJP to join the party, Oberoi said, ''I flew to Delhi on my own...and headed to Advani to express my willingness to join BJP.''
He said he was not aware why his other colleagues had joined the political bandwagon; Oberoi guessed may be (they joined) to draw the crowds.
The film star said he did not nurture any ambition to become a minister, neither did he want to contest the polls.
The cine star, who campaigned for the party in West Khasi Hills district yesterday, would devote the day for Shillong today (Apr 13, 2004) and head towards Jaintia Hills district tomorrow (Apr 14, 2004).