Congress men pin hopes on Rahul’s visit

The Hindu, 3rd March, 2008


Discovery of India journey to begin from Nuapada


BHUBANESWAR: Congress leader Rahul Gandhi’s four-day visit to State, which would mark the beginning of his ‘Discovery of India’ journey, seems to have come as a blessing for the State unit of the party.
The party leaders in the State, who have remained out of power since 2000, are now hopeful that Mr. Rahul Gandhi’s visit would help refurbish the party’s sagging image and also bring the people closer to the Congress.
“Mr. Gandhi’s visit to the State will certainly help our party in consolidating its base,” said former Union Minister Srikanta Jena.
Mr. Rahul Gandhi’s journey is scheduled to begin from backward Nuapada district in western Orissa on March 7.
The same day, he would address a Jungle Bachao rally at Bhawanipatna. The rally is likely to be attended by thousands of people, primarily tribals.

Farmers’ rally

The visit of Mr. Gandhi will end on March 10 with his addressing a massive farmers’ rally at Panikoili in Jajpur district.
In between, Mr. Gandhi would visit several tribal-dominated districts and address rallies.
Former Union Minister and party leader Bhakta Charan Das is elated about Mr. Gandhi’s visit to Kalahandi on the first day of the tour.
“Although Mr. Gandhi’s visit is primarily aimed at meeting the people and interacting with them to know about the problems facing them, it would certainly give a boost to the party in the State,” said Mr. Das.
With just a few days left for Mr. Gandhi’s arrival, senior Congress leaders have already fanned out to different regions to oversee the arrangements for the programmes.
Since Mr. Gandhi is in charge of the youth wing of the party, the youth leaders of the party are doubly happy. They have started making visits to different places to mobilise the youth to attend Mr. Gandhi’s programmes and roadshows.

Big impact

Since Mr. Gandhi was likely to mingle with tribal people and youth, the Congress leaders are confident that his visit would make a big impact on the political scenario in the State.
According to Congress sources, Mr. Gandhi was expected to talk about the problems facing the farmers, tribals and those facing displacement due to industries during his address at various rallies.
With the chances of early elections growing after presentation of a people-friendly budget by Union Finance Minister P. Chidambaram, Mr. Gandhi’s visit is likely to go a long a way in uniting Congress workers.