DF Govt's felicitation marred by pro-anti Prabha Rau slogans

Mumbai, Nov 5 (UNI) A function held by the Maharashtra Pradesh Congress Committee (MPCC) to celebrate completion of three years of the Democratic Front government today was marred by pro and anti- Prabha Rau slogans.

The function to felicitate Chief Minister Vilasrao Deshmukh and his cabinet colleagues was organised at Tilak Bhavan, the party headquarters.

Barring Rajya Sabha MP from Maharashtra Rajiv Shulka, nobody from the party high command attended the function despite being invited for the same.

Mr Deshmukh, in his speech, enlisted the achievements of the state government. However, Mr Shukla expressed his displeasure over the absence of several ministers from the felicitation programme. He said importance should have been given to the party's event.

When MPCC president Prabha Rau stood up to deliver the speech, a group of Congress workers started raising slogans against her. Their slogans were countered by pro-Rau supporters. Finally, the cops intervened and removed all the sloganeers.

Later, talking to reporters, Ms Rau said such indiscipline will not be tolerated.

UNI