Cong, BJP mayor join hands against shifting of Rajiv's bust

Lucknow, Oct 5 (UNI) Uttar Pradesh Congress today protested the shifting of former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi's bust near the Chief minister's official residence here to make way for a fountain.

Senior Congress leaders and Lucknow mayor and BJP leader Dinesh Sharma gathered at Rajiv Chowk near Kalidas Marg -- which houses the official residence of the chief minister -- to protest the shifting of the bust to the corner to make way for a fountain.

Newly-appointed UP Congress president Rita Bahuguna Joshi lamented that the bust has been shifted to the corner against the sentiments of a large section of society. ''It is good that the road has been widened. But the statue could have remained in the middle of the crossing...if the bust is not re-installed in the centre, Congress will launch an agitation,'' she said.

City mayor Dinesh Sharma said since the crossing has been christined as Rajiv Chowk, a sign board would be installed there.

The bust of the former Prime Minister was installed at the crossing in 1995. Following renovation of the crossing, it was moved to the far side to make way for a huge fountain.

Union minister Akhilesh Das, Congress legislature party leader Pramod Tiwari and former state Congress presidents Jagdambika Pal and Arun Kumar Singh 'Munna' were also present.

Ms Joshi has submitted a memorandum to the mayor seeking re-installation of the bust in the middle of the crossing. Copies of the same have been sent to Governor T V Rajeswar and Chief Secretary P K Mishra.

UNI