Summary:
His aim was not to win the election but to ensure the Congress defeat,” Banke Bihari Maheshwari, an old associate of Vajpayee, told TOI.“His defeat didn’t change anything though. AGRA: Despite facing a crushing defeat from Mathura in the 1957 Lok Sabha elections, former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee shared strong bond with the temple town all his life.In fact, he had contested polls in 1957 from three seats –Lucknow, Mathura and Balrampur. He was a people’s leader, who always remained connected to the party workers.” He was elected to the second Lok Sabha from Balrampur constituency.In Mathura, where he was pitched against freedom fighter and political heavyweight Raja Mahendra Pratap Singh (Independent), he lost his deposit.“While campaigning, he told gatherings to vote for Raja Mahendra Pratap Singh and not him. He was close to party workers here all his life..