Lok Sabha polls 2014: Rajnath Singh meets ND Tiwari, seeks blessing

Lucknow: Just days before the Lucknow Lok Sabha seat goes to the polls, BJP national president and candidate from the constituency Rajnath Singh sprung a surprise by seeking blessings from Congress veteran ND Tiwari. Singh went to Tiwari’s residence on Saturday and touched his feet. Tiwari not only blessed him but also wished victory for him.

“His name is Rajnath, so his victory is assured,” said Tiwari, who was CM of both UP and Uttarakhand and also served as Union minister in Indira Gandhi and Rajiv Gandhi’s cabinets. Emerging out of the meeting, Rajnath said, “We have a long association. When I was in the state assembly, once after I made a speech, Tiwariji, who was then the leader of opposition, rose from his seat, called me, and said that you are the future of the state.”

Saturday’s development is significant as Singh is pitted against Congress’ Rita Bahuguna Joshi. While the endorsement of an opponent by a Congress veteran would not only embarrass Joshi’s camp, it would also influence the 3 lakh Brahmin voters in the constituency.