Sonia to visit Rae Bareli today

Rae Bareli, Oct 14 : Congress president Sonia Gandhi is expected to arrive here today on a day-long visit. Her visit assumes significance after her public rally, organized for today, was cancelled in the wake of Section 144 (CrPC) being in force in the district.

During her visit, Sonia will visit a health camp at Bainsawar Degree Collage in Lalganj area. Earlier, she was scheduled to address a public rally in the area.

A road show would also be organized on the occasion, said sources in party's state unit.

The UPA chairperson was also scheduled to perform 'bhoomi pujan' with her son and Congress General Secretary Rahul Gandhi and Railway Minister Lalu Prasad Yadav for the proposed rail coach factory. Now the ceremony would be performed after Oct 22, the next date of hearing in the land allotment row.

The land allotted for the proposed rail coach factory was withdrawn by Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Mayawati, but later the Lucknow High Court had imposed a stay on the CM's order.

The High Court heard the writ petition filed by the Centre challenging the order of the Mayawati Government canceling the allotment of land for the project. The court heard the writ moved by the Centre through Secretary, Railway Board, Ministry of Railways and two others.

The respondents in the writ petition are the State of Uttar Pradesh through the Secretary, Revenue Board, Commissioner, Lucknow Division, District Magistrate, Rae Bareli and District Settlement Officer.

ANI