Advani visits Sankatmochan temple, meets victims

Varanasi, Mar 23: Former Deputy Prime Minister and senior Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader L K Advani today (Mar 23, 2006) visited the blast hit Sankatmochan temple here.

After his visit to the 16th century temple, he met the victims of the March seven twin blast, presently recuperating at the Sir Sunderlal Hospital in the Banaras Hindu University (BHU).

During his visit to the temple, Mr Advani also called on the Temple Mahant Prof Virbhadra Mishra.

The March seven blast at the temple -- built by Goswami Tulsidas -- and the Varanasi railway station within a span of 15 minutes, had killed 15 people, besides causing injuries to others. AICC president and UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi accompanied by Union Home Minister Shivraj Patil had rushed to the religious city within hours from the blast.

The other political leaders who have visited the blast hit city and met the victims include BJP president Rajnath Singh, former defence minister George Fernandes, Uttar Pradesh chief minister Mulayam Singh Yadav and BSP supremo Mayawati.

UNI