The Hindu : National : `No pomp and show'

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Wednesday, Apr 14, 2004

National

National

`No pomp and show'

By Our Special Correspondent

NEW DELHI, APRIL 13. The Bharatiya Janata Party has considerably scaled down the programme for Thursday, April 15 in Lucknow when the Prime Minister, Atal Bihari Vajpayee, will file his nomination papers for the Lok Sabha constituency. The day had been planned as a major media event — with pomp and show and the party's strength on full display.

But Monday's tragedy in Lucknow has changed all that. That April 15 will coincide with the chautha (fourth day after death) ceremony of the 22 women and some children who have died in the stampede has not escaped the attention of the BJP leaders. And, accordingly, the idea of natch-gana and band-baaja (song and dance associated with such events, has been given up.)

The election rally in Lucknow on April 15 has been called off and the procession of thousands of party workers and supporters that was to wind its way to the office of the returning officer through the streets of Lucknow for over three hours has been cancelled. But a havan has been planned at the party office in the morning before Mr. Vajpayee sets out to file his nomination papers will be performed as scheduled.

The BJP general secretary and spokesperson, Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi, said here today that the plans had to be scaled down considerably. "Whenever such a tragedy takes place in any constituency, it is but natural that processions and meetings are cancelled.''

Another party leader, who is part of the "media" set-up at the BJP headquarters here, said the plan to take journalists from Delhi to Lucknow to "cover'' the nomination event had not been altered.

Besides the BJP president, Venkaiah Naidu, and the general secretary in-charge of elections, Pramod Mahajan, all the important Uttar Pradesh State leaders of the party, including Lalji Tandon whose birthday celebrations led to the stampede, would be present in Lucknow on April 15.

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