Digvijay meets Dera chief; eye on west UP

Sirsa, Feb 11: Trying to maximise the party's poll prospects, Congress general secretary Digvijay Singh on Saturday met Dera Sachha Sauda chief Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh here, who has a sizable following in western part of UP.

Digvijay held parleys with the Dera chief yesterday inside his premises, sources said today. The Congress leader came in a chopper and went straight to Dera chief's cave. He flew back to Allahabad after the meet, sources said.

However, sources close to Digvijay said that he was here "merely" on a religious trip to seek the blessings of the Dera chief. The Sikh sect, which has reportedly about 35 lakh devotees in Punjab, also has a large following in western parts of UP.

The sect had backed the Congress in last assembly elections in Punjab, but it remained tight-lipped on supporting any party in the January 30 polls of the state.

PTI