People die in train accidents, by bullets, why pick on this, says birthday boy

Cars cram the driveway of Lalji Tandon’s residence on 2 Mall Road. Seems like business as usual during election season until you hear h...

Cars cram the driveway of Lalji Tandon’s residence on 2 Mall Road. Seems like business as usual during election season until you hear his personal staff tell a caller on the phone, in a hushed tone: ‘‘What he needs right now is your support. More than any other time.’’ Understandable.

Considering that the day for this birthday boy—whose free sari gift distribution led to the death of 24 people—started with a not-so-pleasant meeting with Pramod Mahajan. Followed by some hard talk with the Prime Minister’s emissary from Delhi and ending with some harder talk with senior RSS leader Balakrishna Tripathi.

In between, he did the obligatory visit to two funeral sites.

The Indian Express caught up with Tandon just as he put up his feet following a long day after. And clearly, he wasn’t repentant.

‘‘How does this sari distribution violate the Election Commission’s code of conduct? Right now, there is no candidate or election agent. This code is only applicable on them,’’ he said. ‘‘Do you think people stop having parties and functions because of Election Commission?’’ When told that the code of conduct has already come into effect, he shrugs it off.

	What they did day after

	Mulayam Govt • Issued notice asking public to give information related to the tragedy • Team set up to probe Nagrik Seva Samiti, two raids yielding nothing BJP • Mahajan arrived to plan a ‘‘sober nomination ceremony’’ for PM • Order for rose petals, arches cancelled • Kalyan defends party, Tandon. Victims • Funerals held at three places. • No compensation yet as EC permission sought to release money from PM Relief Fund and party Opposition • Cong demands Lalji’s arrest • Effigy of Tandon burnt by Brinda Karat • Samajwadi Party silent at highest level but local leaders visit funeral sites

‘‘Do these incidents don’t happen? Train tragedies happen, people get killed by bullets, why are they picking on this?’’ he said, referring to the Congress who is he says is the only party ‘‘playing politics.’’

When told that the victims’ families were from the slums of his constituency (Lucknow West) and they complained of abject poverty and miserable living conditions, he said: ‘‘The people who are bringing the issue of roads and water into this cannot be from the victims’ families.’’

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Then after a momentary pause, he took off: ‘‘Har gali ban jayegi kya? (Will every lane be fixed?) These were places where people travelled in boats during monsoons. Now at least they have place to walk.’’

Why does he go to them only to distribute blankets or saris? ‘‘I have made a law that bans headloading for women. I have laid a new sewer line and made cemented roads. This is a new Lucknow now. And about these galis, every gali is not possible. And even when you make them, then you have to repair them.’’

What is his connection with Brijendra Murari Yadav who runs the Nagrik Sewa Samiti, the organisation that distributed saris, and is a known history-sheeter with 13 cases against him? ‘‘I know him because he is a prominent citizen of my constituency and has been working for the poor for years now. He has organised bigger functions than this on Mahashivratri and Janmashtami. I have seen with my own eyes,’’ he said.