Amethi for Sonia, Rae Bareli for Priyanka, say UP Congmen

LUCKNOW, Jan 2: In a unanimous resolution today, presidents of all 83 District Congress Committees (DCCs) in Uttar Pradesh appealed to Sonia...

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LUCKNOW, Jan 2: In a unanimous resolution today, presidents of all 83 District Congress Committees (DCCs) in Uttar Pradesh appealed to Sonia Gandhi to contest for the Lok Sabha from Rajiv’s old constituency, Amethi and her daughter, Priyanka, to contest from Indira Gandhi’s constituency, Rae Bareli.

DCCs of Sultanpur and Rae Bareli districts had already passed similar resolutions. They also urged Sonia to kick off her campaign from Amethi. UPCC chief Narain Dutt Tewari today said he hoped that both Sonia and Priyanka would understand the sentiments of the people of the two constituencies and agree to contest.

Asked whether a similar resolution had been passed by the Moradabad DCC about Priyanka’s husband, Robert Wadera, Tewari quipped, “Not so far. But its a good proposal.”

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The DCC presidents’ resolution is now pending with the UPCC which would soon forward it to the AICC to be sent to Sonia Gandhi.

The UPCC meanwhile, in another resolution welcomed Sonia’s decision to campaign for the party. “We welcome the decision of representative of Nehru-Gandhi family known for its role in freedom struggle and construction of modern India, and epitome of an ideal Indian woman, Sonia Gandhi, to campaign for the party. Its a historic step,” the resolution read.

The resolution expressed the belief that Sonia’s decision would strengthen secular and nationalist forces. The PCC also invited her to start her campaign from Uttar Pradesh.

Tewari said his party was open to alliances with any parties which can defeat the BJP but that all such deliberations would be held in Delhi. He, however, refused to name any prospective allies.

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The Samajwadi Party president Mulayam Singh Yadav, too hoped to repeat the party’s success in the Mumbai Legislative Council elections by trouncing the BJP in Uttar Pradesh as well. Without naming the Congress he said, his party would do everything required to defeat the BJP in the State.

Mulayam’s campaign gained some momentum today with a number of former MLAs and MPs belonging to Janata Dal and Congress joining his party. These include Raj Kumar Rai (Ghosi), Rishipal Singh Yadav (Budaun), Ranavir Singh (ex-Congress MP from Bahraich) and Ram Kishan Yadav (former BSP MP).

Asked why he was engineering defections from UF partners like the JD, Mulayam said, “These people are so disenchanted with the JD that if I didn’t induct them into my party, they would join the BJP.”