Latecomer Shah irked by empty chairs

BJP National President Amit Shah was late by at least two hours at the Bengaluru International Exhibition Centre (BIEC) for the launch of the party's Nava Karnataka Nirmana Parivartan Yatra.

Shah arrived around 1.45 pm, whereas party workers were told to be there at 11 am.

To avoid the traffic on Tumakuru Road, Shah arrived at the venue in a private helicopter that was booked last week, party functionaries said.

Shah, however, was upset when he was greeted with thousands of empty chairs. Over a lakh party workers were scheduled to converge at the venue for the launch of the Yatra. Also, a scorching sun kept the crowds away as they took shelter under nearby trees. BJP leaders Shobha Karandlaje, Aravind Limbavali and N Ravi Kumar made repeated requests for workers to occupy the chairs. The party also blamed the Congress government for not allowing its workers to reach the venue on motorcycles. Desperate to have the chairs filled up, the police were asked to let people inside without insisting on passes.