Advani's son keen to join BJP when time is ripe

Jabalpur, Apr 26: Maintaining that he would not take any initiative to enter the political arena, former Deputy Prime Minister L K Advani's son Jayant says he would join the BJP when the opportunity presents itself.

Mr Advani's 'Bharat Suraksha Yatra' seems to be turning into a regular family affair as his son and daughter-in-law have ''suddenly'' reached this cantonment town to join the entourage that already includes the BJP leader's wife Kamla and daughter Pratibha.

''Since childhood, I have been observing a political atmosphere at my home, so there is no question of my being uninterested in politics,'' Mr Jayant, who would accompany his father from here to Indore, told UNI.

The 'yatra', which entered Madhya Pradesh yesterday through the Shahdol district border, reached here about three hours behind schedule and was welcomed by party leaders and workers.

The former BJP president's son Jayant and the latter's wife Geetika arrived by flight and accompanied state Tourism and Sports Minister Yashodhara Raje Scindia.

Yesterday, Mr Advani and his son and daughter-in-law worshipped at the Tripursundari temple near Bhedaghat. In the evening, the trio went by road to Sleemanabad to join the 'yatra'.

The 'yatra' entered this division's Katni district at about 1930 hrs yesterday and Mr Advani addressed a half-hour-long meeting before entering Sihora at about 2030 hrs in a glass-shielded chariot-like vehicle. At Sihora, he and 'yatra' incharge Anant Kumar were welcomed by Madhya Pradesh BJP President Satyanarayan Jatia, ministers Ajay Vishnoi and Himmat Kothari, MPs Rakesh Singh and Neeta Pateria, state General Secretary (Organisation) Kaptan Singh Solanki and former minister Archana Chitnis.

The public meeting at Sihora's Arunam Ghosh Stadium was to get underway at about 1500 hrs but began three hours later. At about 2100 hrs, the yatra reached here via Panagarh. Around 300 sloganeering Congress workers, who released black balloons, were arrested while preparing to show black flags to Mr Advani.

Among those apprehended were local Congress President Rammurthy Mishra, district chief Vishnu Shankar Patel and former Youth Congress general secretary Sanjay Yadav.

The 'yatra' reached Shaheed Smarak at 2235 hrs where it was welcomed by MP Rakesh Singh, Mayor Susheela Singh, her predecessor Sadanand Godbole and others. Mr Advani addressed a gathering here.

UNI