<span style="color: #222222;">BJP veteran L.K Advani on Thursday said the essence of Indian democracy is respect for diversity and freedom of expression. <br />''<br />''He said, right from its inception, the BJP has never regarded those who disagree with it politically as its enemies, but considers them only as adversaries. <br />''<br />''In a blog ahead of the BJP's foundation day on Saturday, Mr. Advani said, in BJP's conception of Indian nationalism, it has never regarded those who disagree with it politically as anti-national. <br />''<br />''He said the party has been committed to freedom of choice of every citizen at personal as well as political level. <br />''<br />''</span>''<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height:normal">Reacting to Mr. Advani's blog, PrimeMinister Narendra Modi has said the  BJP veteran has perfectly summed upthe true essence of BJP, most notably the guiding mantra of nation first, partynext and self-last. In a tweet, Mr. Modi said, he is proud to be a BJP workerand proud that greats like Mr. Advani have strengthened it.</p>