Sonia Gandhi in Nanded to kick-start Congress poll campaign

Nanded (Maharashtra), Oct.7 : Congress president and UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi has arrived in Nanded, Maharashtra, to kick-start her party's campaign for next year's general elections.

Gandhi's daylong visit to Nanded will include addressing a public rally and to attend the tri-centenary celebrations of the Guru-da-gaddi.

Union Home Minister Shivraj Patil, Maharashtra Chief Minister Vilasrao Deshmukh and All India Congress Committee General Secretary in charge of Maharashtra Margaret Alva will also be present on the occasion.

Gandhi, according to party sources, is likely to highlight the UPA Government's achievements during the last four-and-a-half years, including the progress made on on the US-India civil nuclear cooperation deal, the loan waiver for farmers and the success of the rural guarantee scheme.

She is also likely to take on the Opposition on issues like inflation, terrorism and internal security.

The Central Government has released funds to the tune of Rs.2000 crore for Nanded and adjoining regions. Most of this amount has been earmarked for infrastructure upgradation.

The Guru-Da-Gaddi celebrations will mark the 300th year of conferring the status of Guru to the Shri Guru Granth Sahib by the tenth Guru of the Sikhs, Guru Gobind Singh.

Nearly a million devotees are expected to attend the celebrations to be held from October 13 to November three.

The district administration has taken over 56 schools and colleges in the city and around to facilitate boarding and lodging arrangements. In addition, five special camps are being erected to accommodate devotees in the surrounding villages of Mugat, Mudkhed, Pimpalgao and Nerali.

ANI