All arrangements in place for tomorrow's AICC session

New Delhi, Nov 16 (UNI) The Talkatora Stadium and adjoining areas have virtually turned into a fortress with armed securitymen taking positions for tomorrow's high-profile AICC session, to be attended by top ranking political leaders, including party President Sonia Gandhi, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and his cabinet colleagues and chief ministers from 10-odd states.

With about 25 per cent of the 2200 delegates falling within security categorisations, the venue has been taken over by securitymen drawn from agencies like Delhi Police, Special Protection Group, National Security Guards and paramilitary forces.

''We are leaving nothing to chance to put an immaculate security system in place because of the presence of top leaders of the country under one roof,'' a senior police official said.

The Delhi Pradesh Congress Committee (DPCC), which is organising the event, has made elaborate arrangements to ensure that there are no last minute glitches. Each minister of the Sheila Dikshit cabinet has been entrusted with a specific task to make the special session of the AICC a resounding success.

Transport Minister Haroon Yusuf, who heads the transport committee, has been assigned the task of ensuring smooth transportation of the delegates from airports and railway stations to the hotels and the venue of the meeting.

Labour and Industry Minister Mangat Ram Singhal heads the Food Committee; Health Minister Yoganand Shastri chairs the First Aid and Health Committee wnd Education Minister Arvinder Singh Lovely will look after the Tea and Snacks Committee.

More importantly, Ms Barkha Singh, Chairperson of the Delhi Women's Commission, and Ms Anjali Rai, MLA, have been given the responsibility of looking after the room of Ms Gandhi. Similarly, Finance Minister A K Walia has been asked to make all the necessary arrangements in the prime Minister's room.

There are also a number of other committees, which have been formed in connection with the day-long AICC session.

PWD Minister Raj Kumar Chauhan heads internal decoration committee. Mr Mukesh Sharma, MLA, has been asked to look after the Stationery Committee and Ms Kiran Walia, also a legislator, heads the hospitality committee.

Talking to UNI, DPCC President J P Aggarwal said, '' All arrangements, including accommodation, decoration and food for 2200 delegates, are in place. Though all the arrangements are in place, they have been made in the simplest of fashion.'' He said all Delhi cabinet ministers have been given some sort of responsibility which they are shouldering it with all sincerity.

''It is a great honour for the Delhi unit of the party to be given such a responsibility and everyone will contribute to make the session memorable,'' he added.

''The session assumes significance in view of the fact that several states are going to the polls this year and the Delhi assembly elections will also be held next year,'' he said, adding that committees had been constituted for the smooth conduct of the session.

''The session will start at O830 hrs and will come to an end with the address of Ms Gandhi in the evening,'' Mr Aggarwal said.

UNI