Advani undeterred by threats to his ‘Jan Chetna Yatra’: BJP

From ANI

New Delhi, Oct 28: Asserting that senior party leader Lal Krishna Advani is under threat, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Friday said he would continue his 'Jan Chetna Yatra' to fight corruption, black money and price rise.

A crude bomb was found on Advani's yatra route on the outskirts Madurai earlier in the day. Explosives in the form of a pipe bomb were found hidden under a bridge in Alampatti village near Tirumangalam, around 30 kilometres from Madurai city.

"Today, a very unfortunate incident did happen, it could have been a major episode for the day. Mr. Advani's 'yatra' commenced in the morning from Madurai and while on way to Trivandrum, where he shall be reaching by evening, in front of a village called Alampatti, the local police and the intelligence recovered pipe bombs positioned inside a culvert on the main road on which he was to cross. Fortunately, it could be detected in time, and Mr. Advani was requested to change the route," said BJP spokesperson Rajiv Pratap Rudy.

"And thereafter he has proceeded back on the main route on which he was supposed to go. He is safe, fine and he says that he is undeterred by such incidents. He would continue and understands that such elements may want to deter him from his path, but he continues with full vigour, with full confidence and he says that he has great confidence in the security forces. The Bharatiya Janata Party would also like to request to all the concerned security forces that the 'yatra' and the 'yatris' have to be given full protection," he added.

Recalling the 1998 Coimbatore incident, Rudy further said there have been similar attempts to cause harm to Advani earlier also, and today's incident, was not a new thing that took place.

"So, it's not new, there have been attempts and Mr. Advani is under a threat. But having said that, he says he continues undeterred for the 'yatra' he has taken up, the 'Jan Chetna Yatra,' which is getting a tremendous response across the nation," said Rudy.

"We expect a successful completion of his journey in Delhi later next month," he added.

Responding to another question, Rudy said the BJP has full faith in security arrangements.

He, however, said there are elements in the society, who are ideologically opposed to the basic fundamentals of the BJP

"Despite security, such a incident has taken place "We absolutely do not question the efforts made by the state police and the Central Government. There are elements in the society, who definitely are ideologically opposed to the basic fundamentals of the BJP. We continue to go undeterred and I think, we should not cast any apprehension or suspect anyone for the matter. The investigation will take place and we have full faith in the security arrangements made so far," said Rudy.

Advani kicked off his nationwide tour from Sitab Diara village in Bihar on October 11, to take on the UPA Government on the corruption issue and press for the return of black money stashed away abroad.

The 38-day long yatra will conclude in Delhi on November 20 in the form of a massive rally.


Copyright Asian News International/DailyIndia.com