According to police sources, the blast took place when the minister was walking to a temple, about 50-60 metres from his house, at Bahadurganj.
Uttar Pradesh Additional Director General of Police (Law and Order) Brijlal said: “The crude bomb was kept in the bike, parked near Nandy’s residence, and it may have been triggered by a remote control device.”
Others critical
The minister was accompanied by his public relations officer, gunner and a local scribe. The minister was injured in the neck and hand. He was admitted to hospital where his condition was stated to be out of danger.However, police sources said the condition of the other three was critical.
The blast was so powerful that a number of vehicles parked nearby and the walls of several houses were badly damaged, sources said. Chief Minister Mayawati rushed UP Police chief and two other ministers to the city to take stock of the situation.
The Congress, BJP and Samajwadi Party leaders, while condemning the blast, said the incident indicated that no one was safe under Mayawati’s regime.Nandy, 36, controls a large business empire and deals in government contracts and real estate. The police have not ruled out business rivalry as a motive behind the attack. They have detained a Samajwadi Party leader in this connection.
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