Many BJP leaders say no to eco-friendly tents at conclave
By IANSWednesday, February 17, 2010
INDORE - Many Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leaders, who have converged here for the party conclave, late Wednesday opted not to stay in the eco-friendly tents citing “health problems”, party officials said.
Sources said those who have opted to stay in hotels rather than in 1,300 tents erected at Kushabhau Thakre Nagar, 10 km from here, include former party president Rajnath Singh, Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Sushma Swaraj, Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Raman Singh, MP Navjot Singh Sidhu and actor-turned-politician Shatrughan Sinha.
“I am not staying in the tents but my heart is still here,” said Sinha, a party MP.
When asked about leaders not staying at the party conclave, party spokesperson Prakash Javdekar said: “Some leaders have health problems. In such a case it is necessary for them to stay in hotels.”
He added that Rajnath Singh was “down with viral fever”.
Former union minister Maneka Gandhi and her son and MP Varun have also reportedly left the venue.
Around 1,300 tents have been put up for around 5,000 delegates of the national executive and national council. Of these 25 are for the VVIPs.
