Hi-tech chariot for Advani yatra

      Pune: Former Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) president Lal Krishna Advani, who is all set to embark on 'Bharat Suraksha Yatra' on Thursday, will be using a hi-tech chariot for his 35- day long 'Yatra'. The state-of-the-art chariot, equipped with all modern facilities, has a sofa-cum-bed, a chemical toilet, and a dining table, which can be converted into conference table. The chariot also has a dish TV fitted with computer, which would enable the Leader of Opposition to receive and send e-mails and watch over 100 channels during his entire ride from Rajkot to New Delhi. There is a power lift fitted in the chariot to go to the roof from where Advani will be addressing public meetings en route. Painted in tri colour, the chariot also has huge pictures of former Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee, party president Rajnath Singh besides Advani's and the party symbol "Lotus".

     Deepak More, vice-president, DC Motors Private Limited, the company which remodeled the vehicle into a chariot, said it was made within 15 days with over 35 people working on it round-the-clock. "It (the chariot) is basically for addressing the rally. It comprises basic things like power lift to come to the roof, a small rest room, sofa cum bed, air conditioner, and basic lighting inside. There is a dish TV with 100 odd channel," said More. Meanwhile, some media reports have said that the former Prime Minister, Atal Bihari Vajpayee, has tried to "dissuade Advani from embarking on the yatra," suggesting him to postpone the yatra for a more appropriate time. Vajpayee is understood to have questioned the benefit which the party would derive from Advani's yatra as there is still a long way to go before the general elections. Reports suggest that Vajpayee is of the view that the proposed yatra may have some negative impact on the Assembly polls in the five states as it would distract the cadres from work required for the polls. Advani had announced to take out a cross-country "solidarity march," focusing on internal security of the country, in the wake of the twin blasts in Varanasi where at least 15 persons were killed.

Back to Headlines                  Go To Top