Date:14/10/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/10/14/stories/2008101458090100.htm

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Sonia’s public meeting cancelled

Special Correspondent

LUCKNOW: The proposed public meeting of UPA chairperson and Congress president Sonia Gandhi at Lalganj in Rae Bareli on Tuesday will not be held as prohibitory orders under Section 144 Cr. PC were reportedly imposed in the district.

Ms. Gandhi, who represents Rae Bareli in the Lok Sabha, will, however, visit her constituency on Tuesday.

Chairman of the Uttar Pradesh Congress Committee media department Vivek Singh said that since the public rally would not be held, a road show would be conducted by Ms. Gandhi before returning to New Delhi.

District Magistrate of Rae Bareli Santosh Kumar denied Ms. Gandhi’s rally had been banned. He said Section 144 was already in operation in the district in view of the ongoing festival season and denied that the prohibitory orders were imposed to scuttle her public meeting. He told The Hindu that Ms. Gandhi would visit the Baiswara Inter College and would inspect the Lifeline Express at the Langanj railway station.