UP gives last-minute nod for rally

Hours after barring BJP veteran LK Advani from holding a meeting at Mughalsarai’s railway institute ground, the UP government gave him permission for the same following strong reactions from the saffron brigade.

Hours after barring BJP veteran LK Advani from holding a meeting at Mughalsarai’s railway institute ground, the UP government gave him permission for the same following strong reactions from the saffron brigade.

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As part of his Jan Chetna Yatra, Advani was scheduled to address a public meeting at the spot late on Wednesday night.

In the afternoon, Chandauli district magistrate VK Tripathi had said the permission was denied because the railway ministry, on whose property the meeting was to be held, had not given a NOC. The BJP had dismissed the explanation, calling it an eyewash. Later, Tripathi said, “DK Gyan, the divisional railway manager of Mughalsarai, said the NOC has been given. Following the development, we have allowed the BJP to hold its function.” State BJP chief Surya Pratap Shahi said the “Congress-BSP nexus” had aimed to thwart the yatra.

“This exposes the Congress government at the centre, which controls the railway ministry, and the BSP, which appears a bit too willing to concede to the railways’ no-BJP request,” he said.