Cong gives deadline to UP govt to re-install statue of late PM

Lucknow, Dec 16 (UNI) Expressing resentment on the disrespect shown to the statue of former Indian Prime Minister late Rajeev Gandhi here, Uttar Pradesh Congress Committee (UPCC) president Rita Bahuguna Joshi said the party would itself to re-establish the statue near the Chief Minister's residence, if the state government does not do so till January 2008.

''I urge the Mayawati government to re-install the statue of the late PM at the crossroad, as its removal shows great disrespect towards the great leader,'' the UPCC president said in a letter to Chief Minister Mayawati yesterday.

If Mr Gandhi's statue is not placed at its site by the first week of January, the party would itself shift the statue, she added saying that its responsibilty would then be at the shoulders of Nagar Nigam and the state government.

Mr Gandhi's statue is installed at a crossroad at Kalidas Marg in Lucknow, which is also popularly known as Rajeev Chowk.

The statue had, however, been shifted to a corner after some beautification work was carried out by the state government few months back.

UNI