Rahul Gandhi to address public rally at Silchar today

Special correspondent

SILCHAR, March 3: As the dates of assembly elections are expected to be announced anytime from now by the Election Commission, political atmosphere is getting hot with different political parties gearing up for the election battle. Barak Valley continues to be the stronghold of Congress except for the early 90’s when BJP virtually swept the hustings by bagging most of the assembly seats and both the MP seats. All the seats were wrested from Congress. Since then, it has been the Congress to rule the roost in this valley. But, considered against the growing challenges thrown by BJP and AIUDF, Congress has to reorient its strategy.

 After the visits of chief minister Tarun Gogoi and leader of the opposition in Rajya Sabha Ghulam bi Azad, Rahul Gandhi, Congress vice-president, is all set to address a public meeting here at DSA ground today (Friday). According to Kishore Bhattacharjee, general secretary of Silchar district Congress committee, chief minister Tarun Gogoi and APCC president Anjan Dutta will also be present at the meeting. He said Silchar district Congress committee has made elaborate arrangements for an assembly of 50,000 party workers and supporters from the three districts of Cachar, Karimganj and Hailakandi.

 Bhattacharjee said in order to ensure their presence in large number at the public meeting to be addressed by Rahul Gandhi at 1.15 pm, hundreds of vehicles will be pressed into the assembly constituencies for their easy transportation and timely arrival. He further said Rahul Gandhi would be landing here from Delhi by a chartered helicopter. As per the programme chalked out, Rahul Gandhi would straightway go to Indira Bhawan to unveil the statue of his grandmother Indira Gandhi. After that he would come to Rajiv Bhawan where he would be meeting elderly persons, citizens and businessmen of this town. After taking lunch in the Circuit House, he would reach DSA ground to address the public meeting. He is scheduled to leave for gaon to address another public meeting.