CHENNAI: “Just as the winds of change have swept across the United States, I have no doubt that India too will witness the `change' when the next parliamentary elections take place in a few months,” asserted L K Advani, leader of the opposition in the Lok Sabha and senior Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader.

At a glittering function organised by his party for the launch of the Tamil edition of his autobiography My Country My Life (En Desam En Vazhkai) in the city on Wednesday, the veteran BJP leader, while referring to the just-concluded election that chose a Black Muslim American, Barak Obama, as the next President of the United States, drove home his point to indicate that the people of India too wanted a change that would get reflected in the coming Parliamentary elections.

“One of the principal reasons why Obama represents ‘change’ in America, and why his election has created so much excitement both in the US and the rest of the world is because he is the first African-American to go the White House. It has taken nearly 150 years after slavery was abolished for America to elect its President of African-Amrican descent,” he added.

In a speech peppered with nationalistic ideas, Advani wanted the creation of an inclusive society in the country where people of different cultures had respected the ideas of others. “India has rejected the idea a theological state,” he said.

He was all praise for the freedom fighters of Tamil Nadu who had contributed much for liberation from the British rule. He, however, deplored that there was insufficient awareness about this in the north.

“Tamil Nadu has shown the regional pride and national unity, which is a shining contribution to the national progress,” he said and added, “If I can enable the people of India to rise to a high level, I will deem it as a rewarding achievement of my life''.

He told reporters that he visited the house of actor Rajinikanth and the meeting was a pleasant one. “I discussed several things with him, including his Sivaji film. If he enters politics, I will appreciate it openly,'' he remarked.

Rajini was seen occupying the front row of the function venue and enjoying the speech of Advani.

Air Chief Marshal (retired) S Krishnaswamy released the first copy of the book that was received by Swami Dayananda Saraswathi.

Thuglak editor Cho Ramasamy, danseuse Padma Subramaniam, journalist N Ram, Advani’s daughter Pradeepa Advani and others offered felicitations.