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Arjun Singh becomes emotional at election rally

April 07, 2009 19:57 IST

With both his son and daughter being denied Congress tickets for the Lok Sabha elections, veteran party leader Arjun Singh on Tuesday could not hide his emotions and the Union Human Resources and Development minister was seen wiping his tears while addressing an election rally in Ballia.

The 78-year-old Congress stalwart refuted suggestions that he has been sidelined by his party after it denied tickets to his children.

Singh was in Ballia to campaign for party candidate from Salempur Bhola Pandey who is close to him.

"Bhola Pandey is also like my son, you (people) should ensure his victory," an emotional Singh said while trying to control his tears. Singh was seen wiping his eyes several times with his handkerchief during the rally.

Pandey, who initially tried to comfort Singh, also became emotional. Later, when media persons asked him in Azamgarh about the reason behind his tears, Singh brushed it off saying, "Is umar me aisa hota hai" (It happens at such an age).

About the denial of ticket to his son Ajeya Singh from Sidhi and daughter Veena Singh from Satna in Madhya Pradesh by the Congress, Singh said that he would speak about it after April 13 when he starts his campaign in MP.

When asked whether he was being sidelined in the party, Singh said, "Had I been ignored in the party set up I would have not been campaigning for Congress nominees."