rediff.com Assistant Managing Editor George Iype and Correspondent A Ganesh Nadar, who are travelling with Deputy Prime Minister L K Advani's Bharat Uday Yatra, answer readers' queries:
V K Nair from Mumbai
When the country is shining what is the need for Advani to spend public money to remind the people about it?
Ganesh Nadar: Dear Mr Nair, it is not public money per se, but BJP money. But you have a point because the public is paying for the security and other things, which must be in crores. In Coimbatore alone there were 3,000 policemen! On Friday he visited 20 places and travelled 300 km. If you do the numbers you will realise that the money spent on security and such stuff is truly mind-boggling.
Sushant from Dombivli, Mumbai
Will BJP come in majority in the Lok Sabha?
Ganesh Nadar: Not on its own, but looks likely it will be there with its allies.
Sandeep from Bangalore
When is Mr Advani coming to Bangalore? And where will he be addressing a rally?
Ganesh Nadar: He was in Bangalore on Friday.
Yogi from Toronto
Who is attending to all his work in Delhi while he is away for so many days? And also, what provisions have been made for him to watch cricket matches??!
Ganesh: Hi, Yogi, bureaucrats will handle all the work till a new government is sworn in. As for cricket matches, Advani will keep himself up to date through a TV in his bus.
Salasamar from Dubai
How was the response in Christian belt of Kerala, any chances for PC Thomas?
George: The response in the Christian belt for Advani's visit was very lukewarm. It is unlikely that Thomas would win. But if the Congress infighting and the UDF problems in Muvattupuzha continue, he stands a chance.
Dr Ramakrishna from Leicester, UK
Dear reporter, I have been observing that the minorities are joining the BJP in large numbers. Will it help to improve the electoral gains of BJP in the coming elections? If so, what percentage of minorities could turn to BJP?
George: Minorities have not been joining the BJP 'in large numbers'. Some Muslims and Christian leaders have joined the party. Minorities joining the BJP is certainly an advantage for the party. The BJP attempt these days is to enroll maximum number of minority leaders to dispel the notion that the party is anti-minority.
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