Simply Advani

BJP leader springs many surprises refuses bullet-proof dais and even reads Kannada papers

L K Advani, BJP's prime ministerial candidate who was in the city on Tuesday, went off the beaten track, much to the delight of people around him.

The BJP leader did away with the bullet-proof dais, read most of the Kannada papers, ate south Indian food and also found time to visit an old friend in Frazer Town.

It was a perfect visit, except for the traffic jams that his convoy created, resulting in delays for regular road users.

No security please: Advani

The leader was in the city to unveil a Vivekananda statue at Ramakrishna Ashram Circle and participate in a function at theu00a0 ashram.u00a0

Advani preferred to be treated just like any other politician and hence opted for an ordinary dais. This, despite the threat to his life, for which he has been provided Z plus security cover.
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"I wonder why there is a bullet proof dais in a place like this," said Advani. "I would rather use the other one."

Kannada gotthu

Advani took stock of the state affairs by reading headlines of all Kannada newspapers, including Prajavani and Hosdigantha

He also shared his memories that associate him with the Kannada language and Karnataka. He recalled an incident way back in 1977 when he surprised then CM Devaraj Urs by signing in Kannada.

Home food

When it came to food, Advani preferred south Indian food, both for breakfast and lunch.

According to Shivkumar, a BJP worker in charge of media co-ordination. "In the morning Advani ate at the CM's residence and in the afternoon at Ananth Kumar's place. Clearly, he preferred home food to hotel fare."

Traffic jam

He also visited one of his old friends in Frazer Town and spent some quality time with him. However, though Advani has a huge fan following, people commuting to offices as well as students going to colleges were stuck in traffic due to the VIP visit.

"We welcome leaders like Advani to our city, but definitely not the traffic jams," said Niranjan, a college student who was late to college by two hours. "They should not disturb traffic and cause public inconvenience as leaders like him should lead by example."u00a0u00a0