Sonia, Pawar plan show of unity at Banjara fest

Congress president Sonia Gandhi and NCP chief Sharad Pawar will share the dais for the first time after sealing the pre-poll alliance at a B...

Congress president Sonia Gandhi and NCP chief Sharad Pawar will share the dais for the first time after sealing the pre-poll alliance at a Banjara community rally in Yavatmal on January 31.

Though organised by All India Banjara Seva Sangh to mark its 50 years, the rally at Digras is regarded as the first show of strength by the allies in the run-up to polls.

In the process, the BJP has missed an opportunity to woo a community that wields considerable influence in the state, Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka. The Banjara Sangh, which has officer-bearers of various political hues, had tried to get DPM L.K. Advani to preside over the programme, but the date was not suitable to him. With organisers hoping to draw 3-4 lakh community members, the Digras rally may prove to be Sonia’s answer to the splash PM Vajpayee made with the Dhangar rally at Pandharpur.

Story continues below this ad

By attending a rally in the Banjara heartland close to the Banjara pilgrimage centre of Pohradevi, the Congress chief may actually influence the Banjara vote across western India, sources said.

‘‘A message from Pohradevi could help the Congress-NCP combination further consolidate its hold over about five crore Banjaras all over the country,’’ sources added.