Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee informally kicked off the ruling National Democratic Alliance (NDA) campaign for the Lok Sabha polls in Maharashtra, by announcing a drought-relief package for Maharashtra and coming out with measures aimed at wooing the electorally important Dhangar (shepherd) community. Though he carefully chose not to attack the Opposition, Mr Vajpayee alluded to the "feel-good" atmosphere in the country and dwelt at length on the achievements of his Government on various fronts. He said that the time had come for the people in the country in general and in Dhangar community members in particular to take a "crucial decision" in the Lok Sabha polls which, he said, were round the corner. The decision was "important" from the point of India's further progress in the coming years.