Date:08/09/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/09/08/stories/2008090861030800.htm

Andhra Pradesh

Tirupati being spruced up for Sonia’s visit

Special Correspondent

TIRUPATI: With time ticking away for UPA Chairperson Sonia Gandhi’s high profile visit to Tirupati on September 11 for an interactive session with the women members of SHGs, there is a steady increase in the number of Ministers and party functionaries landing in the city daily to review the arrangements for the mega meet.

Against one Minister on Saturday who arrived here, on Sunday it was four Ministers -- Anam Ramanarayana Reddy, R. Chenga Reddy, G. Aruna Kumari and Kanna Lakshminarayana -- besides APCC president D. Srinivas and the Chief Minister’s close aide, K.V.P. Ramachandra Rao. They were closeted with a team of senior district officials led by Collector M. Ravichandra and SP Lakshmi Reddy.

In all about 2 lakh women members representing ‘Indira Kranthi Patham’ would be mobilised for the meet.

About 3,200 vehicles, mostly APSRTC buses would ferry the women to the venue.