UP poll countdown: Sonia's direct dialogue with dalits

Lucknow, Jan 12 (UNI) In run up to the crucial Uttar Pradesh assembly poll, Congress will hold 'direct dialogue' of party chief Sonia Gandhi with the dalits from next month to attract the community.

''The first such direct dialogue between the dalits and Ms Gandhi will be held in the first week of February, either in Lucknow or any other place in UP,'' announced state party president Salman Khurshid here.

Talking to mediapersons, he said the party would invite eminent dalits leaders and voluntary organisations working for the uplift of dalits to interact with Ms Gandhi and other leaders, including Rahul Gandhi.

''Later, state Congress will hold similar interaction with the backwards and minorities before the assembly poll,'' he informed.

Claiming that Congress was the only party to have worked for the upliftment of the dalits, he said the interaction would be based on the Bhopal declaration of the party, which deals with the issue.

Congress leader and former UP bureaucrat -- once close confidant of BSP supremo Mayawati, Panna Lal Punia said the dalit dialogue with Ms Gandhi would certainly have a positive bearing on the uplift of the community and the seriousness of the party to end their woes.

UNI