Vajpayee defends distribution of sarees in Lucknow

Strongly defending distribution of sarees that led to a stampede killing 25 people, PM dismissed suggestions that the incident dented his image.

Strongly defending distribution of sarees that led to a stampede killing 25 people in Lucknow, Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee on Wednesday dismissed suggestions that the incident has dented his image.

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"Nothing wrong in distribution of sarees," Vajpayee, who represents Lucknow Lok Sabha constituency, said in Bangalore commenting on the incident that occurred during birthday celebrations of his election manager and senior BJP leader Lalji Tandon on Monday.

"Every year sarees have been distributed there," Vajpayee said adding, "this time some thing happened and it is unfortunate."

"It is a great tragedy, we are mourning it, but elections cannot wait," he said after offering floral tributes to the statue of Dr BR Ambedkar in front of Vidhana Soudha, the Karnataka Government's Secretariat.