'I avoid making personal attacks'

While Deputy Prime Minister L K Advani was busy with the Bharat Uday Yatra, his son Jayant kept the fire burning in his father's constituency, Gandhinagar, which went to the polls on April 20. Jayant said he had no plans to join the BJP, but answered the questions posed by Deputy Managing Editor Amberish K Diwanji like a seasoned politician.

What campaign accessory do you always travel with?

I always carry lots of cold water, which of course turns warm by the time we are halfway through. I wear a cap, and generally drink a lot of liquids -- juices, nimbu pani [lime juice] -- every 15 minutes or so. It keeps me cool in this extremely hot and dry weather.

What do you do before you set out for the day?

I eat a light breakfast of toast or idli, some fruits and a cup of tea.

How do you keep fit?

I have been playing table tennis for one to one-and-a-half hours every morning for the last 25 years. This is my way of keeping fit. But here, in Ahmedabad [where he is temporarily staying], I have not been able to follow this routine because of my hectic schedule and workload.

What do you do to keep your voice in fine fettle?

I don't really do anything differently. I live normally and even have ice cream! Luckily, I have not been affected so far. I eat Gujarati food, which is light. Though it is a bit oily at times, it has very little spice and that, I think, keeps my voice in fine fettle.

What is your favourite mode of transport during the campaign?

In this constituency, I travel by road. I use a Honda City car. But after reaching a main venue, I like to walk across and meet the people. In that sense, I like walking as a mode of campaigning. I campaign for fours hours every morning and four hours every evening, so I probably end up walking about 7 or 8 kilometres every day.

If there is one thing you can avoid during the campaign, what would it be?

I avoid making personal attacks. I believe that elections should focus on real issues and subjects, which is why throughout this campaign, I have not make any attack of a personal nature.