|
- By Parinda News Bureau, February 23, 2006, 14:37 IST
The visit of Congress president Sonia Gandhi to constituencies of Vilasrao Deshmukh's political bete noires on Wednesday and her earlier rejection of the Chief Minister's invitation to visit his constituency has sent a clear signal to the latter that his days in office are numbered. Sonia visited Ahmednagar, the stronghold of veteran party leader Govindrao Adik who is the arch-rival of Deshmukh and against whom he has constantly rebelled. She also visited Malvan, the constituency of Sena rebel and revenue minister Narayan Rane who won the recent byelection by a thumping margin of votes and caused the Sena candidate to lose his security deposit. At the same time, Sonia skipped Latur where Deshmukh had invited her on the plea of her busy schedule. The CM was at pains to explain that the Congress president was busy with the budget session and hence she could not visit Latur despite her ardent wish. Whatever the CM might say, the fact remains that by accepting invitations of his rivals and visiting their constituencies, the Congress president has tried to appease both Adik and Rane who are aspirants for the post of Chief Minister. She sang praises of both these leaders and pledged her support to their good work in their respective constituencies. lt may be noted that Adik who has been smarting from his exclusion from Deshmukh's cabinet, has been trying to trouble CM on one issue or the other.
Adik has taken up the cause of the farmers and floated a forum that fights for the rights of agriculturists. He had recently threatened to storm Mantralaya along with lakhs of farmers.
Striking a chord with farmers of Adik, Sonia expressed concern over rising incidents of farmers' suicides in Maharashtra, and directed Deshmukh to thoroughly investigate such cases. She also said that priority be given to preserving farmers' rights. "We have taken many steps to ensure that farmers' rights were safeguarded but despite that incidents of farmers' suicides are increasing," Sonia said addressing a farmers rally organised by Maharashtra Krishak Sanghatana here. "This a matter of concern and we must look forward to solve the problems of the farmers," Sonia said.
Her statement was a cleverly crafted move to appease the farmers' lobby represented by Adik who is at loggerheads with Deshmukh.
At Malvan, Sonia was accorded a grand reception by Rane who was praised sky-high by the former. Formally welcoming Rane into the Congress fold, Sonia observed that Rane's political talent would strengthen the Congress. Her visit here was also the first by a Congress president in the last 26 years. Indira Gandhi had addressed a public rally at the same venue in October 1979.
| 