The Hindu : Front Page : Kalam, Manmohan express shock

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Sunday, Apr 23, 2006

Front Page

Front Page

Kalam, Manmohan express shock

Special Correspondent

Bhairon Singh Shekhawat, Sonia Gandhi, Lalu Prasad also express concern

NEW DELHI: President A.P.J. Abdul Kalam, Vice-President Bhairon Singh Shekhawat, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and political leaders on Saturday expressed shock and concern over the attack on Bharatiya Janata Party leader Pramod Mahajan.

Mr. Kalam expressed concern and wished him a speedy recovery. Mr. Shekhawat prayed for Mr. Mahajan's speedy recovery and long life.

In a message to his wife, Rekha Mahajan, the Vice-President said he was deeply disturbed to learn about the incident. "He is a true nationalist committed to the service of the people. He is bestowed with rare qualities of head and heart. We have hope in him. My wife and myself are with you in this hour of anxiety and join you in praying to God for his early recovery, good health and long life," Mr. Shekhawat said.

Expressing shock over the incident in his letter to Ms. Mahajan, the Prime Minister said, "I learnt with shock about the unfortunate incident today [Saturday] and about the injury suffered by your husband as a consequence. Please convey my good wishes to Pramodji and my prayers for his early recovery."

Congress president Sonia Gandhi too expressed shock over the grievous attack on Mr. Mahajan. In a message to his wife, Ms. Gandhi said she sincerely hoped that he recovered fully at the earliest. "My thoughts are with you and your family."

Railway Minister Lalu Prasad expressed concern over the incident and wished the leader a speedy recovery. Janata Dal president Sharad Yadav spoke to Mr. Mahajan's family.

The former Prime Minister, Atal Bihari Vajpayee, would be visiting Mr. Mahajan in hospital, BJP Parliamentary leader Vijay Kumar Malhotra, who is to accompany him, said here.

At the BJP headquarters here, party leaders and workers organised a `Maha Mritinjaya Jaap.' Amid chanting of mantras, priests started the ceremony praying for a long life for Mr. Mahajan.

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