Mumbai, June 19: Deputy Prime Minister L K Advani arrived here last night after his 10-day visit to US and UK during which he held extensive talks with the leaders of both the nations over global fight against terrorism. Advani, who arrived directly from London by an Air India flight at 1.15 am, was welcomed at the airport by BJP general secretary Pramod Mahajan, party city unit chief Vinod Tawde and party leader Bhai Girkar.
The Deputy Prime Minister later drove straight to Rambhau Mhalgi Prabhodini in neighbouring Thane district to participate in the party's ongoing 'Chintan Baithak', being attended by BJP's 28 top functionaries.
Advani, who could not attend the inaugural session of the 'Baithak' today, was described by Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee as "a source of strength for me in the government, but he also devotes a lot of time and energy to guide the party in its work".
Putting behind the unsavoury leadership controversy that rocked the party recently, Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee heaped lavish praise on deputy premier L K Advani and party president Venkaiah Naidu.

The BJP bigwigs meeting would conclude by June 20 afternoon following address by Advani. Bureau Report