Lucknow gets saffron hue as Rajnath, Kishore file nominations

LUCKNOW: A saffron wave swept the roads leading to the collectorate when defence minister Rajnath Singh and minister of state for housing and urban affairs Kaushal Kishore filed nominations for Lucknow and Mohanlalganj Lok Sabha seats, respectively, after a roadshow in the state capital on Monday. Both are seeking a third straight term from their seats.

They were accompanied by chief minister Yogi Adityanath, Uttarakhand CM Pushkar Singh Dhami, deputy CMs Brajesh Pathak and Keshav Prasad Maurya and mayor Sushma Kharakwal on the Vikas Rath , a truck modified to symbolise development.

As the rath proceeded towards the collectorate via Hazratganj, it resembled an island moving through a saffron sea, escorted by police personnel. Thousands of BJP supporters painted the streets saffron.

Earlier, Rajnath began his day with a visit to the Hanuman Setu temple, accompanied by Pathak, Lucknow Mahanagar president Anand Dwivedi and MLC Mukesh Sharma. Heavy security was in place for the roadshow.

Despite the heat, BJP workers patiently awaited their chance to greet Singh and Kishore. As BJP leaders mounted the rath, workers shouted slogans like “Jai Shri Ram,” “Har Har Mahadev,” and “Rajnath Singh zindabad,” energising the atmosphere with slogans and music.

Representatives from different religions and organisations had set up stages along the route. They took pictures and videos with their phones to remember the event. Some BJP workers sprayed rose and marigold petals from special pumps, while others from the Rashtriya Lok Dal waved party flags. Rajnath and Kishore greeted the crowd by waving and bowing.

The roadshow started at 10:30 am, took almost one-and-a-half hours to reach the collectorate where the nominations were filed before district election officer Surya Pal Gangwar. Rajnath filed for nomination for the Lucknow Lok Sabha seat and Kaushal filed for Mohanlalganj.

“My father used to work in Rajnath Singh’s office and he helped my father a lot of times. So, I came here with over 50 members of my community to thank him. I feel like I am supporting my father,” said Aryan Patel, a resident of Mohanlalganj.

“We were planning the roadshow for a week. I am praying for his success and will hold a ‘puja’ next week for his victory. This time Rajnath Singh will be victorious by over five lakh votes,” said Suresh Chablani, a BJP supporter.