Attacks cast shadow on electioneering; Rahul holds condolence meet

Jaipur, Nov 27 (UNI) AICC General Secretary Rahul Gandhi led the party to mourn the deaths of innocent people in the Mumbai attacks even as the fresh terror strike in the country's financial hub cast its shadow over electioneering for the December 4 Rajasthan Assembly polls.

Four election meetings were to be addressed by the Amethi MP in Kishangarh (Ajmer), Jayal (Nagaur), Chaksu (Jaipur) and Gangapur (Sawai Madhopur). In humanitarian gesture, the scion of the Nehru-Gandhi family, however, opted to convert political engagements into condolence meetings.

Mr Gandhi said he was to garner votes for Congress candidates today, but the Mumbai events forced him to change the nature of the gatherings.

He said he was advised at the Delhi Airport for putting off today's meetings, but he looked at it otherwise.

''I had to go to Rajasthan as per schedule, but instead of seeking votes, I chose to pay tributes and respect to the departed souls,'' he added.

''We want to contest and win elections, but national cause comes to us before the political agenda. At the moment, we all are required to express solidarity with the victims and the nation,'' he underlined.

''I will not make any political speech and merely pay tributes to the victims, Mr Gandhi said.

He also asked the audience to stand up and observe a two minute silence as mark of respect to the departed souls.

Meanwhile, the ruling BJP has also decided to hold condolence meetings in all 200 assembly constituencies to pay tributes to the ictims tomorrow.

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