Advani richer by Rs 2.25 cr

GANDHINAGAR: The Gujarat capital was swarmed with cops and most public activities were halted on Wednesday when BJP���s prime ministerial candidate L K Advani, accompanied by chief minister Narendra Modi, came here to file his nomination papers���the two listed among the most threatened individuals in the country.

All shops and offices next to the BJP office, including the Rajashree cinema hall, were closed during the first half of the day as Advani and Modi had to inaugurate the office. Snipers were moving around on rooftops of neighbouring buildings while a CCTV camera in the BJP office was keeping an eye on suspicious movements.

The Gandhinagar collectorate was cordoned off with only select mediapersons allowed inside as Advani, accompanied by wife Kamla, Modi, state BJP chief Purshottam Rupala and BJP leader Purnendu Bhagat, filed his nomination . His son Jayant and daughter Pratibha had to wait outside as the EC rules don���t allow more than five persons to accompany the candidate.

Unlike 2004, Advani has admitted that two criminal cases connected with the Babri Masjid demolition and the Ram Janmabhoomi issues were pending against him. He mentions that the ���alleged Babri Masjid demolition��� case is pending before the Lalitpur special judicial magistrate while the Ram temple case is pending before the special judicial magistrate, Rae Bareli.

House in G���nagar , finally

LK Advani���s declared wealth has gone up almost three times in five years. Advani and his wife Kamla together own movable and immovable properties worth Rs 3.55 crore. The appreciation is mainly owing to an increase in the value of two flats in Gurgaon. Plus, he has constructed a house in Gandhinagar. While his gold holding remains the same at 115 tolas, its value has gone up substantially. He has also managed to wipe out his debts.