Sonia Gandhi to attend Congress conference

Bangalore, Sept 2: Back to opposition benches, the Congresss in Karnataka will in a show of strength hold a massive rally in the city tomorrow to mark the entry of former Deputy Chief Minister Siddaramaiah into the party.

To be attended by Party President Sonia Gandhi the conference would see the All India Progressive Janata Dal (AIPJD) merge with the Congress. Though Mr Siddaramaiah who resigned his Assembly seat to facilitate joining the congress his supporting legislators who were still technically JD(S) members would not participate in the Meeting, AIPJD leaders had clarified.

Mr Siddaramaiah talking to newsmen had indicated that the merger would trigger polarisation of secular forces in the State.

The entire city had been decked with posters and festoons to mark the massive congress rally tomorrow with huge cutouts of Ms Gandhi positioned at several vantage points, especially around the Palace Grounds where the meeting would be held.

Ms Gandhi was expected to land in the city around 1225 hrs and would drive straight to the venue. After the meeting she has reserved nearly two hours to have discussions with party leaders at the Kumara Krupa Guest House. Later she would leave for New Delhi.

UNI