SOLAPUR (MAHARASHTRA): Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha L.K. Advani has cancelled his Karnataka leg of the "Bharat Suraksha Yatra" following the death of noted Kannada film actor Dr. Rajkumar in Bangalore on Wednesday.

"As a mark of respect to this great son of Karnataka, I have decided to call off the Karnataka leg of the Bharat Suraksha Yatra, which was scheduled to start later on Wednesday," the former Deputy Prime Minister told presspersons here on Wednesday evening.

He will participate in the funeral of Dr. Rajkumar to be held in Bangalore. Mr. Advani will resume the yatra from Andhra Pradesh on Saturday morning (April 15).

"As my yatra is a political campaign, I thought it would be inappropriate for the political campaign to be conducted amid a grief-stricken State. Therefore, as a mark of respect to this great son of Karnataka, I have decided to call off Karnataka leg of [the] yatra. I shall resume from Andhra Pradesh onwards," Mr. Advani said.

Meets party leaders

Before announcing the decision, the former BJP president held a closed-door meeting with the party's national general secretary and MP, H.N. Ananthkumar, Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister B.S. Yediyurappa, State BJP president D.V. Sadananda Gowda, and MPs Pramod Mahajan and Basavaraj Patil Yatnal.

The yatra was scheduled to enter Karnataka on Wednesday evening (at 3.30 p.m.) via Solapur in Maharashtra. Recalling Dr. Rajkumar's contributions to the cinema, Mr. Advani said he was one of the towering personalities in Indian cinema. "Dr. Rajkumar was the undisputed king of Kannada cinema. In a career spanning nearly five decades, he enthralled and educated the people of Karnataka with his rich artistic talent. He was honoured with Padmabhushan for his contribution to Kannada cinema. A Dadasaheb Phalke awardee, he became an iconic figure in Karnataka with his performance in a wide range of films — mythological, historical, social and those with modern themes. His films instilled patriotism, healthy regional pride and uplifting social values," Mr. Advani said.

"Pride of Karnataka"

The former Deputy Primer Minister said Dr. Rajkumar was more than a cinematic superstar. He was the pride of Karnataka, having served the cause of his State and its language with unflagging zeal and winning the goodwill of people of all castes, classes and communities.

"I offer my heartfelt condolences to the bereaved members of Dr. Rajkumar's family. I shall also be attending the funeral on Friday," he said.

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