Sonia cuts short her South Africa visit by a day

New Delhi, Aug 22 (UNI) Congress President Sonia Gandhi will return here on August 24 from her visit to South Africa, cutting short her four-day trip by a day, reportedly due to political developments arising out of the widening chasm between the ruling UPA coalition and the supporting Left Parties.

Ms Gandhi reached Johannesburg yesterday as per the originally planned four-day visit, in response to an invitation by South African Deputy President during her visit to New Delhi last year, to strengthen the ties between India and South Africa.

However, she has reduced it to a three-day trip apparently in view of the political developments in the capital city, top Party sources said here today.

Asked why Ms Gandhi had shortened her visit to South Africa, Information and Broadcasting Minister Priyaranjan Dasmunsi did not give a reply.

It is reliably learnt that she would skip her programmes in Durban.

As per the revised itinerary, she will visit Cape Town, besides Johannesburg.

She will leave for Cape Town tomorrow after meeting former South African President Nelson Mandela. In Cape Town, she will hold talks with President Thabo Mbeki and Deputy President Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka.

UNI