PM, Rahul sought after

MALDA, March 24: In a bid to win the South Malda Lok Sabha seat, the Kaliachak block Congress has urged Malda MP Mr AH Khan Choudhury, who is also the party’s candidate for the seat, to ensure that Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh and Congress general secretary Mr Rahul Gandhi pay a visit for his election campaign.

“The Malda MP is trying hard to bring Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh or (Congress president) Mrs Sonia Gandhi for his poll campaign in South Malda Parliamentary constituency,” said Mr Enarul Islam, Kaliachak Town Congress president.

Congress leaders of Kaliachak block, which falls under the South Malda seat, yesterday sought to meet Mr Khan Chowdhury following the announcement that Dr Singh, Mrs Gandhi and Mr Gandhi would visit West Bengal.

It was announced in New Delhi that Dr Singh would attend one rally, Mrs Gandhi would attend three rallies and Mr Gandhi would attend four rallies in the state.

“Mrs Sonia Gandhi has come to Malda several times. But neither the Prime Minister nor Mr Rahul Gandhi has come to Malda or Murshidabad. Mr Rahul Gandhi may be available for poll campaigning either in Farakka or in Kaliachak,” said Mr Islam.

According to Mr Islam, the party workers and leaders waited to meet Mr Khan Chowdhury but he was busy in Delhi trying to secure a ticket for his elder brother for North Malda.

Mr Khan Choudhury’s supporters had fixed a date for meetings in Dhulian and other areas in Murshidabad, but he could not arrive in time. n SNS

Emergency Cong meet in Malda today

Statesman News Service

MALDA, March 24: The Congress district president in Malda, Mr AH Khan Choudhury, has convened an emergency party meeting here tomorrow. All MLAs of the district and contenders for the North Malda Lok Sabha constituency have been asked to attend. According to the Congress leadership, the poll campaign strategy for the North and South Malda seats will be decided in the meeting.

Mr Khan Choudhury today informed his followers in Malda that he would be arriving in Malda tomorrow. According to the local leadership, the controversial leader Dr AN Khan Choudhury is also expected to arrive tomorrow.

The Congress has decided to launch its election campaign from the tribal and backward class-dominated Gazol town, a red bastion in North Malda. Since the AICC is yet to announce the name of its North Malda candidate, the local leadership has decided to start campaigning on the strength of the symbol. (END)