New political alliances in state will pale before cong

Welcoming Sonia’s decision to campaign for the party, Patnaik said the announcement came at the right moment and would certainly help the party to register emphatic victory. Sonia’s decision has also dampened the euphoria of the "communal forces" dreaming to sweep the polls, he said.

Central poll panel will decide on Rao

The Pradesh Congress Election Committee has left it to the central election committee of the party to decide on former prime minister P V Narasimha Rao’s candidature from Berhampur Lok Sabha seat.

Chief Minister J B Patnaik told newsmen here on Saturday that the Ganjam district committee of the party had recommended Rao’s name for the ticket. Asked if the move was in view of the party’s reservation to field persons who are facing corruption charges, Patnaik said though such a principle was followed before 1996 Lok Sabha polls there were exceptions. Buta Singh and Kamal Nath were given party tickets even though they were facing such charges, he pointed out.