Tandon falls in line,backs Puri

Falling in line with the party after initial recalcitrance over denial of ticket to his son for the Lucknow West Assembly bypoll,BJP MP from Lucknow Lalji Tandon today said he would be present during the filing of nomination papers of his party’s candidate Amit Puri at the District Collectorate on Wednesday.

He said he and his supporters would work to ensure his party’s win in the Lucknow West seat. Tandon,who was the sitting MLA from the seat,had been trying for a ticket for his son Ashutosh Tandon “Gopal”. Tandon had vacated the seat after he was elected MP from Lucknow. But with the party having chosen Puri as its candidate,disgruntled Tandon’s supporters not only shouted slogans and boycotted all meetings,but also went to the party high command with their demand. Tandon himself felt “hurt” since the party had not taken his advice before selecting the candidate in “his constituency”.

On Tuesday,however,Tandon held a meeting of his supporters and reportedly met the party’s organisation secretary Nagendra. “I have asked all my workers to extend all support to Puri and work to ensure that the party once again registers a win in this Assembly seat. I would be present for Puri’s nomination,” Tandon said.

Puri too was happy over getting blessings from party’s seniormost leader. “He was the one who brought me back to the party. I am happy that I am contesting the polls with his blessings. I will surely take his work forward,” he said.