BJP flies in Tirupati laddoos to celebrate poll wins

To celebrate the installation of its governments in four states post-assembly polls, the BJP on Thursday distributed laddoos to its leaders in parliament -- laddoos that were specially flown in from the Tirupati temple in Andhra Pradesh.

BJP sources revealed to IANS that the party had planned to distribute sweets to its leaders at the Parliamentary Party meeting that was addressed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi to felicitate leaders over their performance in the just-concluded assembly elections.

Someone then came up with the idea of offering Tirupati laddoos, given as religious offering to devotees at the temple, one of the most visited religious places in India. The laddoo, which is registered for a Geographical indication tag to avoid duplication, is prepared in the temple kitchen.

"Earlier, we were planning to distribute sweets but then came the idea of distributing Lord Venkateshwara's laddoos," a BJP leader said.

Thus, an order for some 1,000-1,200 laddoos was placed on Tuesday night, but the temple was able to deliver only about 600.

These were flown into the capital by Wednesday afternoon, after which four staff members of BJP's office in the parliament complex packed them in special boxes -- one laddoo in each.

As the laddoos were distributed, BJP President Amit Shah was offered one by Uttar Pradesh unit chief Keshav Maurya in the full glare of the media.

Inquisitive reporters asked if it was an indication that Maurya would be the Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister.

To which Shah shot back, "Keshavji will decide on who would be the Chief Minister", leaving reporters to wonder whether the comment meant that Maurya was out of the race for the Chief Ministership.

In a lighter vein, party MP Giriraj Singh said: "Jo laddoo khayega, woh Hindu rashtra ka ho jayega. (Everyone who eats ladoo will be of the Hindu state)."

--IANS

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