With high command nod,Cong to launch three-fold protest

Though the Congress is yet to decide whether it will join other parties in holding a joint protest,a final decision in this regard is likely to be taken after AICC general secretary Digvijay Singh returns to India on July 2.

According to sources,as this is a good issue to expose the Mayawati government,the high command has communicated to the state unit to take up the issue in an organised manner. “After memorials and power crises,this issue will help us expose the present government. This decision has given us the opportunity to put our point forward that the Mayawati government is afraid that the Congress would gain a large number of urban seats and has thus taken such a step,” said a senior leader.

Speaking to The Indian Express,UPCC president Rita Bahuguna Joshi said: “During this protest,we will take up two issues — opposing the move of the state government to hold local body elections without party symbols and,demanding that even Zila Panchayat elections be fought on party lines.”

“We will soon meet Union Panchayat Raj Minister Mani Shankar Aiyar and put forward our request to bring about a second round of constitutional amendments,which will decrease the influence of the state government and bureaucracy on local bodies. We will also request him to ensure that even Zila Panchayat elections are fought on party lines because it helps people identifying the type of ideology the candidates are adopting,” she added.

Joshi said that the party has decided to hold a convention in Lucknow in October to discuss the need and ways to strengthen local bodies.

According to sources,during the meeting at the state party headquarters,party workers have requested that AICC general secretary Rahul Gandhi be invited for the convention.