Salman charms Gurdaspur

Showing his biceps,Khan said,“He (Khanna) is like my elder brother. He has done a lot for the film industry and the people of Gurdaspur. I spoke to him a few days ago,and when he asked me to come here for campaigning,I could not refuse.”

Salman,who was virtually mobbed by fans,rode in an open truck for a road show from Pathankot to Batala,via Gurdaspur– a distance of over 70 kms.

“Please vote for this great man,” said Khan,while waiving to the people standing on both sides of the road. Clad in white t-shirt and blue jeans with sunglasses on,Khan peppered his speech with Punjabi phrases. Some youths threw their jackets and shirts towards him; he wore them and then threw them back,triggering chuckles.

The show started much behind schedule,but people had clogged the streets on getting the news of his arrival,leading to traffic jams.

Earlier,Khan landed at Pathankot airport by a chartered plane and went straight to the modified truck fitted with a public address system. When asked that Khan had earlier canvassed for the Congress,Khanna said he was here due to personal bond and not because of affiliation to a particular party. “I have close friends in the Congress and the BJP and will campaign for them if they ask me,” he said.

Khanna said,“I am thankful to Salman for taking time out of his busy schedule. Our association is age-old and he was here for moral support,” said Khanna,adding that Hema Malini and other actors would also campaign for him.

Salman also wanted to pay obeisance at the Golden Temple late in the evening,but he was hard pressed for time.