Thaindian News

Lucknow, March 2 (IANS) The Bharatiya Janata Party’s (BJP) senior leader Lalji Tandon, the party’s nominee for the Lucknow parliamentary constituency arrived in the state capital Monday to a rousing welcome and said his nomination was due to former prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee’s “blessings”.
Tandon was returning from New Delhi after attending the BJP’s parliamentary board meeting.

As Tandon arrived at the Charbagh railway station Monday afternoon, he was greeted by thousands of BJP supporters who danced to the beat of drums, burst crackers and distributed sweets, celebrating their leader’s nomination.

“It’s all Atalji’s blessings… they (the blessing) will work for me in the upcoming election,” Tandon told a few mediapersons, who managed to reach him by climbing on the Matador, from where the leader flashed the victory signal all along the road show route.

Thousands of BJP supporters on motorcycles, cars and buses accompanied Tandon till he arrived at the party’s office in the Hazratganj locality.

“By their warm welcome, the people here have made me emotional. I will make an all-out effort to carry forwards Atalji’s legacy,” said Tandon after arriving at the party’s office.

While some of the activists wore saffron coloured Kurta Pajama, others were seen carrying saffron BJP flags that were also placed on several vehicles that formed part of Tandon’s cavalcade.

Tandon has been representing Lucknow’s walled city in the state assembly. Apart from having carried out much development in the otherwise neglected old city, Tandon is also seen as among the few BJP leaders with secular leanings.

However, he earned some infamy on account of a stampede that was triggered on account of poor management of a sari distribution exercise he undertook as a sop to the local voters during the run-up to the 2004 elections.