Breaking the long silence, Lucknow MP and former Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) legislator Lalji Tandon said he is hurt by the fact that the party did not take his advice while choosing the candidate for Lucknow West constituency. 

Speaking for the first time after Amit Puri was nominated by the party for the Lucknow west Assembly by-poll, Tandon said that the party no longer cared for the feelings of the workers.

“This was my seat and the party should have taken my advice before selecting the candidate. I am hurt by the party’s attitude,” said Tandon.

“I have never recommended anyone nor have I complained against anyone. It is the party which had to make a decision but since it was my seat, at least my advice should have been asked,” he added.

On the protest staged by the workers, Tandon said the party should pay heed to the opinion of the workers. “They feel strongly towards their constituency and that is why they have reacted in such a manner. The party should look into this,” said the veteran BJP leader.

Lucknow West assembly seat was vacated by Tandon after he was elected to the Lok Sabha. He was keen that his son Ashutosh Tandon is nominated by the party. But the party chose to give the ticket to Puri.