Saturday, February 26 2005 19:20 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

New Delhi: In a surprise of sorts, Leader of Opposition L K Advani today (Feb 26, 2005) hailed Prime Minister Manmohan Singh for launching economic reforms and credited the first Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru with establishing the "true edifices of democracy".

Speaking about resurgence of the country in the economic field beginning 1990s, the BJP (Bharatiya Janata Party) President said, "For effecting this radical, reform-oriented change in the direction and content of economic policy, I have no hesitation in giving credit to our present Prime Minister who was the Finance Minister then."

Addressing the 'India Today' Conclave, he said the country achieved "economic strength" only because the then Government took a "fundamentally different path in the beginning of 1990s."

"No doubt, this was done out of compulsion than out of a conscious and consensual choice. It was a correct decision, nevertheless," Advani said, adding the Vajpayee Government "made a proud and abiding contribution to these reforms."

Advani also heaped praise on Nehru, describing him as a "true democrat" who "set up true edifices of democracy," which stand even today despite the adverse impact on governance by the leadership that followed.