Advani yatra route changed due to model code for Budhni poll

Bhopal, Apr 23 (UNI) In view of postponement of the Budhni assembly byelection -- which is the cynosure of all eyes courtesy the candidature of Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan -- and strict implementation of the model code of conduct, the route of former deputy premier L K Advani's 'Bharat Suraksha Yatra' has been altered.

Public meetings, scheduled on April 26 in Hoshangabad and Sohagpur and the April 27 meetings at Sehore and Budhni, stand cancelled as the code is in force within Sehore and Hoshangabad districts.

''On the night of April 26, Mr Advani will reach here via Hoshangabad district's Piparia, Bareli and Obaidullagunj. He was previously scheduled to arrive here early on April 27,'' the yatra's Madhya Pradesh Media Incharge Deepak Vijayvargiya said here today.

After resting for night at Bhopal, the senior BJP leader would address a meeting the following day. Later, the yatra would maintain its previous route -- Indore, Ujjain and Neemuch.

On April 25, Mr Advani would enter this state via Shahdol district and reach Piparia via Jabalpur.

''Permission has been sought, from the Election Commission, for conducting a meeting at Piparia,'' explained Mr Vijayvargiya.

Following complaints of code violation, it was decided to postpone polling from April 24 to May 3. Due to the EC's strictness, Madhya Pradesh's ruling BJP is treading with extreme caution.

The Congress nominee is former minister Rajkumar Patel. The contest has become engrossing owing to former chief minister Uma Bharti throwing her weight behind Gondwana Ganatantra Party state President Gulzar Singh Markam. A total of 16 candidates are in the fray.

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