Date:08/02/2006 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2006/02/08/stories/2006020815140500.htm

Other States - Uttar Pradesh

Grand welcome awaits Rajnath in Lucknow

BJP president Rajnath Singh

LUCKNOW: An unprecedented welcome awaits Bharatiya Janata Party president Rajnath Singh when he visits his home State of Uttar Pradesh here on Wednesday.

Two quintals of flower petals, a 101 kg garland, a flower crown waighing 21 kg and two quintals of laddoos have been arranged by the State unit of the BJP to honour of Mr. Singh.

The State party headquarters situated just in front of the Vidhan Bhawan will be decorated with beaming lights and choicest of flowers to welcome the party president on his maiden visit to Uttar Pradesh after taking over his post.

A large screen hosting portraits of senior party leaders including Atal Bihari Vajpayee, L. K. Advani, Venkaiah Naidu, Kalyan Singh and party ideologues Syama Prasad Mookerjee and Deen Dayal Upadhyaya was also being erected.

The state BJP spokesperson said the idea was to accord the warmest possible welcome to Mr Singh, who is the second leader from the State, after Murli Manohar Joshi, to have been appointed to the top post of the party.

UNI