Sonia to address rally in Kanpur

Lucknow, July 8 (UNI) AICC president and Rae Bareli MP Sonia Gandhi is likely to address a public rally in Uttar Pradesh's industrial capital of Kanpur.

This would perhaps be the first ever rally by the AICC chief outside her parliamentary constituency in recent past.

UP Congress president Salman Khurshid said here a request was sent to Ms Gandhi recently by AICC general secretary in charge of UP affairs Ashok Gehlot. ''Once she decides, the date would be announced,'' he informed.

The public rally is part of Congress' prepration for the 2007 assembly election. ''We will hold rallies at divisional and sectoral level till September 25 just before the month of Ramzan commences,'' Khurshid said.

Congress has divided UP into eight sectors headed by as many in charges to prepare for the polls slated early next year.

He claimed before the rallies, a meeting of leaders of frontal organisations would be held here on July 19. ''Before a rally, the concerned sector would be informed 15 days in advance for preprations.'' Meanwhile, the UPCC would forward information about most of the possible candidates for the 403 assembly seats to the AICC for evaluation by July 31. ''This is not a final selection list,'' he clarified.

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