Sonia to launch Congress campaign for Mumbai civic polls

Mumbai, Dec 14 (UNI) UPA chairperson and AICC chief Sonia Gandhi will launch the Congress campaign for the crucial Mumbai civic polls at Shivaji Park on December 23.

The civic polls in Mumbai are to be held on February one along with nine other municipal corporations.

Mumbai Congress Chief Gurudas Kamat told UNI that the rally will witness a massive turnout of Congress workers. ''I have conducted Block, Taluka and district level meetings of Mumbai congress activists over the last ten days to prepare the groundwork for the success of the rally,''he said.

Mr Kamat said the thrust of Ms Gandhi's speech would be on development of Mumbai and fulfillment of the aspirations of the citizens for availing basic amenities which have been denied to them under the Shiv Sena-BJP rule in the last twenty years.

She is also expected to address the core issues being faced by the party as well as the central government in her speech. The Congress will celebrate its 121st foundation day on December 28.

Mr Kamat said he has issued directives to MLAs, MPs, Corporators and other officebearers from the party's Mumbai unit to adhere to the code of conduct which was enforced in the city from yesterday.

''While putting up hoardings and other material for the rally, the concerned should avail neccessary prior permissions and avoid poll code violations,''he said.

The Brihanmumbai Municipal corporation (BMC) is Asia's largest and richest civic body and has 227 wards. The Shiv Sena-BJP combine has been ruling it for the last twenty years except a brief spell in the early 90s where the Congress had cobbled up a coalition to bounce back to power.

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