ONLOOKERS CALLED it a wedding without a groom when the Bharatiya Janata Party flagged off its campaign rath yatra this morning without announcing its candidate from the city. Sitting Member of Parliament Kirron Kher was also conspicuous by her absence at the event.
Two chariots displaying the achievements of Modi government were flagged off by in-charge of Chandigarh region and Haryana minister Captain Abhimanyu. While Kher’s absence became the topic of discussion at the gathering, the MP said she had already informed the party leaders about her inability to attend the event. “I had told them that I won’t be able to attend as I had two meetings in people’s houses this morning,” she said.
City BJP chief Sanjay Tandon and former Member of Parliament Satya Pal Jain were present at the event. A party office-bearer, on condition of anonymity, criticised Kher’s absence. “At a time when all of us have to put up a united front, she should have shown up even if only for a few minutes. Sparing five minutes for an official function is not too much to ask.”