Advani calls off UP rally, won’t say why

But Tripathi refused to reveal the reasons for the postponement. Sources in the national BJP, however, disclosed that the frontliners of the party were working on the advice of one of their astrologers who had asked the party to be ready for a major political change at the Centre by mid-March. ‘‘Therefore, if the party organises any political event against Mulayam that will be only after March 15,’’ a source said.

Advani’s order has left the ranks in confusion. ‘‘This would bring down the morale of the party workers who are working day and night to make this event a grand success,’’ an MLA said. Party spokespersons at BJP state head office, however, were not aware of the postponement even today.

This was the first time the BJP had planned a mega public event since Mulayam Singh Yadav took over as Chief Minister. Former PM Atal Behari Vajpayee was to address the ‘‘huge gathering’’ of more than two lakh people at Laxman Mela ground on February 22. From there, the leaders were to take a procession to the Vidhan Sabha. M.M. Joshi, Kalraj Mishra, Rajnath Singh and others were also to come for the demonstration.

The leaders had given targets to party office-bearers. Yuva Morcha and Lucknow district office-bearers were asked to pitch in a crowd of 25,000 people each. Workers in Lucknow and Kanpur divisions were also asked to gather at least 50,000 for the show.