Advani cancels Karnataka leg of yatra following Rajkumar's death

Sholapur, Apr 12 (UNI) Senior BJP leader L K Advani has cancelled his Karnataka leg of the Bharat Suraksha Yatra in a show of respect and regard for septuagenarian Kannada filmstar Rajkumar, who died this afternoon.

However, he will recommence the Andhra Pradesh leg of his yatra as per schedule.

Addressing a news conference, Mr Advani said earlier he had planned to leave for his Karnataka leg at 1500 HRS but cancelled his visit after he heard about the demise of the Kannada film icon.

Rajkumar was the undisputed King of Kannada cinema for several decades, enthralling and educating the people of the state with his rich artistic talent, the leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha said.

Rajkumar was decorated with several awards and honours including Padmabhushan and Dadasaheb Phalke.

He said the Bharat Suraksha Yatra was basically a political campaign and it would be inappropriate to carry on when a person of such stature passed away. ''I shall participate in the funeral which is likely to take place upon his son's return from the United States,'' he said.

Yatra convener Ananth Kumar said Mr Advani was to reach the Sholapur-Dhulkhed border post where over 100,000 people had assembled but the meeting was called off due to the sudden demise of the leader.

Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister B S Yediyurappa, who was here to receive the Yatra, said the state had lost a tall artiste and it was a great loss for the people of Kannada and their culture.

Mr Advani commenced his Yatra from Rajkot in Gujarat on April 6 and touched upon towns and cities like Ahemdabad, Baroda, Surat, Ghatkopar, Mumbai, Pune and Sholapur addressing over 63 rallies and welcome points during his 1,380 km long yatra on the specially designed rath, which cost Rs 20 lakhs. He was to conclude his 6,000 km yatra on May 10.

Senior BJP leader Venkaiah Naidu said it was a disappointment for the people of Kannada that the Yatra is cancelled but the campaign cannot go on when a great man had died. The Andhra leg of the Suraksha Yatra has now been rescheduled to commence at Guntakal instead of Ananthapur on April 15.

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