I don't need Shatrughan for my campaign, says Acharya Pramod

LUCKNOW: Acharya Pramod Krishnam, the seer from Sambhal who has been pitted against Union home minister Rajnath Singh by the Congress in Lucknow, said that he didn't need fellow partyman Shatrughan Sinha to campaign for him.


"

I don't need Shatrughan

for my election campaign.... I trust the people of Lucknow more than anyone else. But if he needs me, I will happily go to campaign for him," Pramod said on Wednesday. While Shatrughan is Congress candidate from Patna Sahib, his wife Poonam would be contesting against Pramod and Rajnath in Lucknow on SP ticket.

"I feel lucky for being sent to Lucknow. The culture of loving and respecting other person's faith and beliefs is rooted in Lucknow. I am happy to come to the city known for its ideology of unity in diversity," the seer said.

Attacking BJP, Krishnam said that Modi and his men have lied to people every single day in last five years. "BJP played with the emotions of people. They lied to them in the name of Ayodhya, Ram, Ganga, cow, Pakistan. But let me tell you, those who have not been loyal to Ram can never be loyal to rashtra (nation)," he said.

The guru, also known for his speeches on Islam, said that he respected Rajnath earlier but has been disappointed. "When he took charge, I felt that he would raise people's issues. His ineptitude disappointed me," he said.

Claiming that the ongoing election would be a turning point for the nation, he said, "This is a

battle

of ideologies. On the one hand, there is Congress which believes in unity of India, on the other hand, BJP-RSS ideology aims to divide India. I urge people to make a wise choice."

Asked to comment on SP-BSP-RLD alliance, Krishnam said, "I think this election is about Modi versus Congress, the remaining would eventually have to choose between these two sides after elections. They say they want to stop Modi, but how will they do it by contesting just 30 or 40 seats. In fact, it will be wise if people choose wisely and give a clear mandate."