Differences with Kalyan a rumour: Vajpayee

“The BJP works for the self-sustenance of the people, a change which makes a real difference in their lives”

Former prime minister Atal Behari Vajpayee today claimed there was an undercurrent in favour of the BJP in Uttar Pradesh. “The results will surprise all,” he said at his first, and perhaps the last, campaign rally here on Wednesday evening.

“Opposition parties must accept that development doesn’t mean construction of a few roads or cleaning of the city. People expect more. The BJP works for the self-sustenance of the people, a change which makes a real difference in their lives,” he said.

He said it was a misconception that the BJP tried to incite public sentiments for political ends. “We didn’t do anything to provoke the emotion of the people in Punjab or Uttarakhand, where we won the elections. All sections of the society voted for us,” he said.

During his 20-minute speech, Vajpayee tried to explain that he was fine and was not angry with party leaders in the state. But in the same vein he also indicated that all was not well and he was in Lucknow just because it was his parliamentary constituency.

“There is a strong rumour that I have differences with Kalyan Singh. Such rumours are spread during elections. In fact, I wanted to come to you before, but was not allowed to,” he said, indicating that doctors had advised him against campaigning.

“I said I must at least go to Lucknow, if not to other places. I would also like to come here to cast my vote on April 28,” he said.

Vajpayee was supposed to kick-off the election campaign in UP from Kanpur on March 26. However, he failed to turn up. While the BJP had said the event was cancelled due to bad health, insiders suggested that the “aggressive Hindutva” agenda of Kalyan had annoyed the leader.