FERVENT APPEAL: Delegates raising slogans outside the plenary in Hyderabad on Sunday. -Photo: Satish H.

HYDERABAD: The presence of Congress MP from Amethi Rahul Gandhi on the second day of the 82nd AICC plenary here on Sunday sent thousands of assembled Congressmen into raptures.

The discussion on draft resolution was overshadowed by the demand for greater responsibility for Mr. Rahul Gandhi. The meeting was held up for a brief period twice as the delegates were pitching strongly for his elevation in the party hierarchy. The 34-year-old leader was the star attraction and his presence had an electrifying affect on the gathering at the plenary.

Trouble broke out when an enthusiastic delegate made a vain bid to rush to the dais demanding that the young MP be invited to share the dais with leaders. Taking cue, a large number of delegates were on their feet demanding it was time Mr. Gandhi was given more responsibility and accommodated in the Working Committee, the decision-making body of the party. Seva Dal volunteers had a tough time pleading with the delegates to clam down.

The AICC president Sonia Gandhi and Prime Minister Manmohan Singh watched helplessly as the partymen were in no mood to resume their seats. Mr. Gandhi, who was sitting in the front row, had to appear on the dais to assure them that he would speak on Monday. The appeal had a soothing effect as the delegates allowed the session to continue.

Demonstrations held

The evening session to discuss the draft resolution on agriculture saw the drama unfolding once again. A section of the delegates shouted pro-Rahul slogans, forcing him to appeal that the meeting be allowed to continue.

As if the slogan shouting inside the huge `pandal' was not enough, a large number of delegates demonstrated outside. Some delegates from Amethi staged a dharna holding posters of Mr. Gandhi and hailing his leadership.

In no time, delegates from Andhra Pradesh, Kerala, UP and other States gathered near the Media Centre and joined the chorus, which continued for 30 minutes.

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