Vajpayee to join UP campaign, address rallies

BJP receives the consent of Vajpayee to address rallies in the state, but unlike his Kanpur campaign plans, there are no joint meetings scheduled this time.

The BJP on Saturday received the consent of its stalwart Atal Bihari Vajpayee to address rallies in the state, but unlike his Kanpur campaign plans, which were cancelled abruptly last month, there are no joint meetings scheduled for him this time.

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The former Prime Minister will address public meetings in Lucknow on April 25, party vice-president Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi said.

Last month, Vajpayee was scheduled to address a joint rally with senior BJP leader Kalyan Singh, once his critic and now the party's chief ministerial candidate, and ally Apna Dal chief Sone Lal Patel to mark the launch of the saffron campaign in his home state.

But the BJP announced cancellation of his programme, citing the 84-year-old leader's health.

The former Prime Minister, who last year joined the BJP's campaign in mayoral poll in Uttar Pradesh apparently in a sign of support for party chief Rajnath Singh, gave his consent for the key assembly election campaign after three phases of voting.

Asked whether Singh or Patel would address the Lucknow rallies this time alongside of Vajpayee, Naqvi said there were no plans as of now for any such joint public meeting in Lucknow.

Vajpayee will also cast his vote in Lucknow, his parliamentary constituency, on April 28, party sources said.