Filmstar Suresh Oberoi canvases for the BJP in Shillong on Tuesday. Picture by Eastern Projection.

Shillong, April 13: After Shaktiman star Mukesh Khanna, it was Suresh Oberoi’s turn to campaign for the BJP here.

Addressing a press conference at the BJP party office, the Bollywood star said Prime Minister A.B. Vajpayee “was doing a great job”.

Quoting statistics on India’s growth rate (from eight per cent to 10.4 per cent in recent years), Oberoi said Vajpayee was “in his full form like a person batting 300 not out”.

Oberoi said he was in Shillong to highlight the merits of the work done by Vajpayee. “The way the country has progressed in the last five years is a miracle,” he said. He also mentioned that the peace initiatives taken by the Prime Minister has made friends out of the country’s enemies. “It is saving the country crores of rupees, which will ultimately come back to benefit the people,” he added. He claimed that he was not invited by the BJP to campaign for the party. He met deputy Prime Minister L.K. Advani at the party office in Delhi and offered his support.

Oberoi is involved in environmental issues and counselling sessions at home.

Lamenting the fact that most citizens have an apathy towards casting their vote, he said they have no right to complain about corruption unless they take the trouble of choosing their leaders who are instrumental in paving the country’s future.

The Northeast, felt Oberoi, was lagging behind not because of a lack of potential but the fact that its people are not willing to go that extra mile.

Concurring that the region can provide the perfect setting for film locales and be a great money earner, he emphasised that tourism can receive a great boost if only people choose to welcome its visitors.