Lucknow: Troubles for the BJP in the
Lucknow (west) assembly constituency, where a by-poll is
slated in the near future, are far from over with a major
group in the party continuing its opposition to the official
party nominee Amit Puri.
After raising the banner of revolt against the
candidature of Puri, the faction considered close to party
MP Lalji Tandon, who had vacated the seat after being elected
to the Lok Sabha, opted out of the crucial meeting convened
by the party yesterday for formulating a poll strategy in
favour of Puri.
Tandon was among those who were absent from the
meeting though party leaders maintained that he was no longer
angry with the decision of fielding Puri.
Tandon, who reportedly wanted his son Gopalji to be
given the party ticket, had on record stated that he was
annoyed for not being taken in confidence over the selection
of candidate. The simmering in the party has, however,
continued.
State unit president Ramapati Ram Tripathi was also
not present in the meeting as he was out of town.
According to party insiders, only a handful of 30 ward
presidents, mandal presidents and general secretaries in the
constituency took part in the meeting.
The party nominated MLA Suresh Srivasatava as the
convener of the Lucknow (west) seat.
The Lucknow (west) seat has remained a happy hunting
ground for the BJP since the past five terms.
Bureau Report
First Published: Wednesday, September 30, 2009, 17:41