PM visits constituency, wonders why he is there

In true `Lucknavi andaaz’, Vajpayee played the perfect host in hisconstituency, welcoming Mamata Banerjee on her first visit after becoming theRailway Minister. He thanked her for choosing Lucknow for the new development projects. “There will surely be some political mileage for me,” he joked. Then he went on to outline the country’s achievements in the past two years. At the same time, he also warned Mamata against conceding to the politically motivated demands for new lines in the coming budget. The Railways was forced to construct lines and run trains which were unprofitable, he said. “The railways is going through a financial crisis. That’s the reason the country has to be prepared for fare hikes this year. They are necessary. The Railway infrastructure is old. We have to make it safer. People will have to cooperate,” he said. However, trying to soften the blow, he said, the final decision rested with Mamata when she makes the budget.

Vajpayee seemed in an indulgent mood towards Mamata. Calling her `toofani’, he said: “my cabinet colleague is doing a great job. However, she feels pained by a number of things. Sometimes, she expresses her pain in words and at other times in deeds.”

Inaugurating so many things apparently left the PM a little confused. In his speech, he mentioned laying the foundation stone of Lucknow-Kanpur line electrification. Uttar Pradesh Governor Vishnukant Shastri had to get up and whisper to Vajpayee that the project was already complete. “Then what am I doing,” he questioned with some amusement. He was then told that he was simply dedicating it to the nation.

The PM, since morning, had inaugurated a health mela — complete withballoons, streamers and festoons — alongwith Health Minister C.P. Thakur,unveiled statues of Kargil martyr and Param Vir Chakra awardee Captain ManojPandey and of Nishad Raj. He also inaugurated the Bismillah market andlaunched a website, up.com. At the end of it, he said that he was scared ofdoing `shilanyas’ since only the foundation stones remained and the work wasnever completed.

Though the railway function in the evening was relatively low-key, with onlyflowers decorating the stage and the venue, the presence of VIPs — Governor,Chief Minister Rajnath Singh, Railway Minister Mamata Banerjee and Minister of State for Railways Digvijay Singh — made up for it. Prime Minister Vajpayee said that emphasis was laid on improving transport infrastructure in the country — rail, roads, ports and air. The PM’s speech could not have been complete without mentioning Gujarat and the “horrific sights of disaster” that he witnessed on his visit two days ago.

Mamata Banerjee handed over a cheque of Rs 15 crore as the Railways’ contribution to the PM’s relief fund and said that she would be donating her six-month salary too.