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Monday, Jan 19, 2009
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Uncertainty in BJP over Lucknow

Atiq Khan

LUCKNOW: The Bharatiya Janata Party has not given up the hope that the sitting MP and former Prime Minister, Atal Behari Vajpayee, would contest the Lok Sabha election here, his health permitting.

Retaining the VIP constituency has become a prestige issue for the party, but with the former Prime Minister not keeping good heath, the BJP is in a dilemma over the choice of a candidate, should Mr. Vajpayee stay away.

Senior BJP leader, Lalji Tandon, told journalists here on Sunday that whether Mr. Vajpayee contested or not, his name and portrait would suffice to fight the poll.

Mr. Tandon, who is considered close to the veteran politician, said there was no bigger name in the party than Mr. Vajpayee. Mr. Tandon met Mr. Vajpayee on Saturday.

Mr. Vajpayee was still worried about Lucknow and eager to know the fate of Rs.1,500 crore development schemes he had given to the constituency, Mr. Tandon said. Several development projects were incomplete. The former Prime Minister’s health had improved and he was slowly on the road to recovery, he said.

Mr. Tandon refused to comment on the statement of actor and Samajwadi Party candidate from Lucknow Sanjay Dutt. He said it seemed that the other parties had no politician among their ranks to fight the election here. Either a candidate was imported from Mumbai, or the ticket was given to a ‘money bag.’ It only showed the political bankruptcy of other parties.

Mr. Tandon is an aspirant for the party’s nomination from Lucknow, should Mr. Vajpayee decline to contest.

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