Cong gains ground; needless drama,says BSP

The PWD Minister,Naseemuddin Siddqui,said the Congress was levelling a baseless allegation that the government was unwilling to allow it the use of the ground,which only shows the frustration in the Congress camp.

“The BSP had announced its dharna programme on the birth anniversary of the Babasaheb Ambedkar and the workers would also celebrate the day,” he said. “This has troubled the Opposition,which feared that there would be a large crowd at the BSP’s dharna on April 14.” Labelling the Congress’s picking Ambedkar birthday for launch of the campaign a drama,he said,“This is the same Congress that never considered Babasaheb for Bharat Ratna”.

Asked how the matter was resolved,district Congress president Ram Kumar Pal said: “I had not mentioned any specific part of the ground in my application. In December,Rahul Gandhi had addressed youths at the ground on the south of the airstrip. I wanted the same ground.”

Pal said he submitted a fresh application on Monday,specifying the ground in the extreme south. The administration gave its permission,but made it clear that no big loudspeakers will be used.