BJP organises programmes in memory of its slain leader

Mumbai, May 2 (UNI) Leader of the opposition in Lok Sabha L K Advani will attend several programmes organised by the Maharashtra BJP unit here, in memory of its senior leader late Pramod Mahajan, whose first death anniversary falls tomorrow.

Mahajan, who was shot at by his younger brother Pravin on April 22 last year, succumbed to bullet injuries on May 3 in the P D Hinduja Hospital here, where he was undergoing medical treatment.

In his 30 year-long political career, Mahajan had succeeded in carving a niche for himself in the state as well as national-level politics.

His oratory skills were considered just next to former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee's. He was a great poll manager as well as a strategist for the party. Therefore, he was always considered as one of the probable candidates for the post of prime ministership from Maharashtra.

Mahajan was the architect of Shiv Sena-BJP alliance, which came to power in Maharashtra in 1995. He had worked as the party general secretary, parliamentary affairs minister and telecommunications minister. But he will always be remembered for his work as the party general secretary. His popularity among the party workers was immense and he succeeded in creating a new cadre for the party.

As state BJP president Nitin Gadkari says ''We always felt his absence in the last one year while tackling every issue but we overcame the problems by collective efforts. We will will continue to work for the fulfillment of Mahajan's dream and that will be our condolence to this great leader.'' Senior Shiv Sena leader and former Lok Sabha Speaker Manohar Joshi says ''I could become the Lok Sabha Speaker due to active support by late Mahajan and he had excellent relations with Sena chief Bal Thackeray, who always treated Pramod as his son.'' UNI