Congress' N.D. Tiwari wishes victory to BJP's Rajnath

Lucknow, April 26 (IANS) Former UP and Uttarakhand chief minister Narayan Dutt Tiwari extended his good wishes to BJP's national president Rajnath Singh for victory in the Lucknow parliamentary contest Saturday, a day after the step brother of prime minister Manmohan Singh joined the BJP.

Emerging from a closed door meeting at the Congress leader's residence in the state capital, Singh said he had come to take the blessings of the Congress veteran who had always encouraged him in public life.

"I still remember how many many years back, Tiwari ji had called me the future of the state and I am thankful that he has bestowed me with his blessings," Rajnath Singh added.

The senior Congress leader, who has served as union minister under Indira Gandhi and Rajiv Gandhi, told reporters that Rajnath was a popular leader and he has extended his support and good wishes to the BJP leader for his success at the hustings.

"Inka to naam hi Rajnath hai, so he has to win the elections under all circumstances," he added.

Congress leaders in the state were dumbfounded at the "new found love" and said that the meeting was surprising but had no "electoral significance".

"We are viewing this as a courtesy call and nothing beyond that," a senior Congress leader told IANS.

He also said that Tiwari was no longer an active Congress member and hence his public posturing was of little consequence.

Lucknow goes to polls April 30.