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Vajpayee stands by Advani

Kanwar Yogendra

"Remarks misinterpreted; everyone has the right to freedom of expression."

SHIMLA: The former Prime Minister, Atal Bihari Vajpayee, on Tuesday endorsed the views of his party colleague, L.K. Advani, on Mohammad Ali Jinnah. "People are getting the wrong end of the stick," he said. Mr. Advani's remarks were "misinterpreted."

Calling Jinnah `Father of independent Pakistan,' Mr. Vajpayee said he always wanted good relations with India but other Pakistan leaders did not support him.

Mr. Vajpayee agreed with Mr. Advani's description of Jinnah as "secular" leader, who had a liking for India even after Partition. "Everybody has the right to freedom of expression and people should not mind it," he said .

He was talking to reporters here before boarding a plane for New Delhi after a 10-day holiday in Kullu-Manali.

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