Rajnath, Joshi not in race for Lucknow seat, says Lalji Tandon

Lalji Tandon, Bharatiya Janata Party Parliamentarian from Lucknow, on Tuesday dismissed as rumours reports that some party leaders, including Narendra Modi and Rajanth Singh, are keen to carry on former prime minister A B Vajpayee's legacy by contesting from this seat in the Lok Sabha polls.

He also expressed his willingness to contest from the seat again.

"I am also reading news reports that Modi, Rajnath, Murli Manohar Joshi and Kalraj Mishra are keen to contest from this seat. I don't know from where this news come from...All this appear to be a rumour", Tandon said.

"If such a decision to field someone else is being taken by the party, I don't see any reason for hiding this from me. Till now no one has discussed with me the prospective candidate from Lucknow seat..", the sitting MP told PTI.

He said Rajnath Singh, Joshi and Mishra have personally told him that they will not contest the polls from here and as far as Modi is concerned, he also has not sent feelers in this regard.

Tandon, who started his career as RSS worker and entered politics by winning as a corporator in 1960, said, "I never changed my place and always remained in Lucknow. People of the city are connected to me as I am the one, who is with them for over five decades...People know that I am the one who is available for them 24 hours".

Expressing his willingness to contest again, Tandon said, "Many a times, I think that I should not contest elections due to age factor...But when I discuss it with my supporters they start pressing me saying what will they do if I am not there". Asked what would be his reaction if the party decided to field someone else, Tandon said, "Let such a situation come, I am a disciplined party worker and will be happy to help the party candidate". The prestigious Lucknow seat is considered BJP's stronghold.