Pranab campaigns in UP: Lunch with Akhilesh,dinner with Maya

The BSP president,on the other hand,used the occasion to get Pranab’s approval for the memorial dedicated to BSP founder Kanshiram,built inside her residence,which has been subject of much criticism due to huge sums of public money spent on it.

Mukherjee admired the statues and murals of dalit icons installed inside 13 Mall Avenue. “ I pay my homage to the social reformers. Kanshiramji dedicated his life for the uplift of Dalits. I salute and offer my tributes to such a great soul. I also offer my humble pranam as the struggle is continuing under the leadership of Mayawatiji,” said Pranab amidst thunderous applause of BSP legislators present at their party office.

A pleased Mayawati informed the gathering that “Pranabji also bowed before the statues and murals.’’ She also chose to answer criticism: “It is not my residence. The money has not been spent on me. I only use 2 or 3 rooms and the remaining is Smriti Sthal in memory of Manyavar Kanshiram,” she said.

Mayawati asked her legislators to attend a training programme on July 17 for voting in the presidential election.

“Not a single vote will abstain. Everybody will reach Delhi. The voters who are in our touch outside UP will also be poll in favour of Pranabji,” she said assuring him of his victory.

Pranab,in his short speech,highlighted the importance of the Constitution and Dr B R Ambedkar who shielded the rights of everyone. He also mentioned that besides UPA,other parties like JD (U),Shiv Sena,CPM and Forward Bloc were also supporting him.

Unlike the lunch hosted at CM’s residence by Akhilesh Yadav,the dinner at BSP office was properly organised. There was no gatecrashing at BSP office,unlike at the CM’s residence where party workers and relatives of MLAs managed to get in in large numbers. At the BSP office,no party workers or supporters of leaders were allowed inside.

Pranab,along with several union ministers,reached Lucknow in the afternoon and headed straight to CM’s residence at 5-Kalidas Marg where Akhilesh hosted a lunch and invited legislators and his ministers.

Besides SP’s MLAs and MPs,representatives of smaller outfits,like Peace Party’s Kamal Yousuf,and Apna Dal leader Anupriya Patel,were also present.

The union ministers included Sri Prakash Jaiswal,Salman Khurshid,Rajeev Shukla,R P N Singh besides MPs Zafar Ali Naqvi,Jagdambika Pal,Rajkumari Ratna Singh,Annu Tandon and legislators Rita Bahuguna Joshi,Pramod Tiwari,Pradeep Mathur and MLC Naseeb Pathan.

Pranab was welcomed by Mulayam Singh Yadav,Akhilesh,Mohan Singh,Kiranmoy Nanda and Shivpal Yadav. Cabinet minister Azam Khan arrived late.

Pranab addressed the gathering in Hindi and appealed for vote. He said the President is the protector of the Constitution and he will to his best to live up to the expectation of voters.

Mulayam appealed to all supporting parties to vote for him. He also said that Pranabji is the most suitable candidate. Akhilesh thanked everyone present and said there was no doubt that Pranab will be the next President.

Pranab later met the Congress and RLD legislators over tea at Hotel Taj. “UP is a very important state in presidential election. It has the maximum number of voters,” he said.