Rahul asked to give adequate representation to non-Jatavs

New Delhi, Nov 7: Rahul Gandhi on Monday met a group of Dalit leaders from Uttar Pradesh and promised to look into their demand for adequate representation to non-Jatav communities, who they alleged were ignored by ruling BSP, in the party candidates' list for assembly polls.

The Dalit leaders led by a former Congress MP Ram Nihor Rakesh also requested Gandhi to attend a rally of non-Jatav Dalits in Lucknow.

Gandhi has given his consent for attending the rally and date will be fixed according the AICC general secretary's convenience, one of the leaders who met Gandhi told PTI.

The leaders from the non-Jatav communities had also met Gandhi when he was interacting with villagers in Jaunpur and adjoining areas a few days back.

The leaders alleged that non-Jatav Dalits have been ignored by BSP chief Mayawati, who is Jatav and has been "promoting her community alone".

Among those who met Gandhi today were Girish Chand, a party candidate for 2012 assembly elections from Karchana seat.

The meeting took place at 10 Janpath, Congress President Sonia Gandhi's residence where Rahul met another delegation of Sufi Muslims from Uttar Pradesh, who demanded proper representation for their community during the Assembly elections.

The strategy of the Congress is to rope in various communities of the state by holding direct interaction with the members and not stitch up alliances with regional parties claiming to be their representatives, sources said.

Congress, which is soon to announce a tie-up with Ajit Singh's RLD, has made it clear that it will not go for alliance with any other party.

PTI