‘I miss the active presence of Atalji’

It was nostalgia all the way for BJP veteran L.K. Advani from the moment he stepped out of the airport in Lucknow. “I am reminded of the times when I visited Lucknow with Atalji and the memories are flooding back,” he said softly. Mr Advani, along with former President A.P.J. Abdul Kalam, was in Lucknow on Friday to inaugurate the new wing of the Scientific Convention Centre, one of the dream projects of former Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee. “I miss the active presence of Atalji to a great extent these days. I am happy to be here and to see that Atalji’s dream for Lucknow has finally been realised,” he said. The money for the Scientific Convention Centre was provided through MPLAD funds. The centre will be handed over to the King George Medical University that will ensure its maintenance. Mr Advani avoided making any political statements during his visit to Lucknow but recalled the glorious days he had spent with Mr Vajpayee. He also expressed concern over the rampant corruption which, he said, was gnawing at the roots of the nation. BJP MP Lalji Tandon, who had worked relentlessly for the completion of the Scientific Convention Centre, said that Mr Advani was above the party and a father figure for millions of party cadres. Mr Advani was given a rousing reception by party workers at the airport who also shouted slogans in his support.