UP Cong rival groups' plans for Rajiv death anniversary

LUCKNOW, MAY 20.The rival factions in the Uttar Pradesh unit of the Congress(I) have announced plans to organise parallel programmes tomorrow to observe the death anniversary of the late Rajiv Gandhi.

While the group, led by the PCC(I) president, Mr. Salman Khursheed, has chosen the party headquarters here for its programme, the rival group, owing allegiance to the former party chief, Mr. Jitendra Prasada, is organising a ``Jan Jagran rally'' in Jhansi.

A statement issued by the PCC(I) office today said Mr. Khursheed, and Mr. Ramesh Chennithala, in charge of the party affairs in the State, would garland the Rajiv Gandhi statue in the morning. An all religion prayer would be held later.

On the other hand, the Prasada faction is trying to prove its support among the workers and leaders. It has invited all CWC members and MPs, to attend the rally, being organised with the efforts of the local MP, Mr. Sujan Singh Bundela.

The rally is likely to throw up a challenge to the leadership of Ms. Sonia Gandhi. The Prasada group waged a sort of battle against Mr. Khursheed. Its contention was that non- entities were ruling the roost in the party, while loyal workers were being sidelined. It also highlighted the party's dismal performance in the Assembly and Lok Sabha by-elections and cross- voting by the party MLAs in the Rajya Sabha poll to drive home its point that Mr. Khursheed was ineffective.

Ms. Sonia Gandhi has so far stood by Mr. Khursheed and Mr.N.D. Tiwary, has made a common cause against Mr. Prasada. The Congress(I) general secretary, Mr. Sushil Kumar Shinde, has issued ``show cause'' notices to several Prasada loyalists for leaking out a letter to Ms. Gandhi, critical of Mr. Khursheed's style of functioning.

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Section  : Other States
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