UP polls: Rebel BJP MLA, veterans' kin accomodated in Ist Cong list

Lucknow, Mar 16 (UNI) A phone call from the office of AICC member and Amethi MP Rahul Gandhi brought cheers for the Congress probables who were accomodated in the first list of the party announced last night for phase I of forthcoming assembly elections.

Most of the 46 candidates are kin of party veterans or sitting MLA, while a MLC, a rebel BJP legislator and a small group of new faces have found place in the list.

Sitting MLAs Ajay Kapoor has been given ticket from Govind Nagar, Sanjeev Dariabadi has been given ticket from Sisamau (reserved) Praddep Jain has been fielded from Jhansi, while MLC R S Judev has been from Garoutha. Rebel BJP MLA Puran Singh Bundela, who had resigned from BJP to join Congress in February, will contest from Mehrouri.

While 62 constituencies would go for elections on April 7, Congress issued a list of 46 candidates. The remaining 16 candidates would be announced shortly.

Congress veteran Balram Singh Yadav's son Ajay Yadav has been fielded from Bhartana, a Yadav-dominated area. Congress leaders claimed that Samajwadi Party supremo and chief minister Mulayam Singh Yadav would contest from Bhartana this time. Last time, Mr Yadav had contested from Gunnaur.

Interestingly, Balram Yadav -- who died an untimely death after being shot accidentally -- had left Congress and joined the SP.

Just before his death, he had re-joined Congress.

Another party veteran and former minister Narendra Singh's son Satyaveer has been given ticket from Rajpur.

Congress sources claimed here that all those given tickets in the first list had received a call from the office of Rahul, confirming their candidature.

Yesterday morning, the UP Congress had announced a three-day roadshow by Rahul Gandhi in West UP beginning March 18 to campaign for party candidates in the forthcoming assembly elections.

Congress was the last to release its first list of candidates but has taken a lead over other political parties in starting its campaign. The proposed roadshow would essentially cover constituencies going for elections during second Phase (April 13) and third Phase (April 18).

During his three day roadshow, Rahul would also address public meetings in at least three places. His carcade would traverse through over 300 kms in the five districts of Ghaziabad, Meerut, Muzaffarnagar, Moradabad and Bareilly.

Rahul would begin his roadshow from Ghaziabad on Sunday and end it on Tuesday at Bareilly.

On day one, Rahul would traverse through eight constituencies of Ghaziabad and Meerut district, covering a total distance of 126 km.

He would address two public meetings -- one each in Muradnagar and Hastinapur in Meerut district.

Covering 165 km on day two, Rahul would cover nine constituencies of Muzzafarnagar. He would address at least one meeting at Muzaffarnagar (city).

On day two and three, Rahul's roadshow would cover Moradabad and Bareilly, covering 15 constituencies.

During the last Lok Sabha elections, AICC president Sonia Gandhi, along with Rahul, had canvassed for Congress largely through roadshows.

UNI