The Hindu : National : Inclement weather dampens campaign

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Sunday, Feb 11, 2007
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National

National

Inclement weather dampens campaign

Sarabjit Pandher

Congress chief Sonia Gandhi fails to make it to Rampura Phul, Sirhind

CHANDIGARH: With just a day left for electioneering to be over in Punjab, inclement weather left leaders of political parties grounded on Saturday. Elections for 115 of the 117 Assembly constituencies are to be held on February 13.

The most affected was the Congress. Party president Sonia Gandhi could not address rallies at Rampura Phul in Bathinda district and Sirhind in Fatehgarh Sahib in the second leg of her campaign. The Congress, which was anxious to make up for the poor attendance at the Prime Minister's rallies, reportedly managed to mobilise impressive crowds at both venues.

The hopes of the party leadership that Ms. Gandhi might travel by a special aircraft to the Chandigarh airport and take the road to Sirhind, about 50 km from here, were short-lived as operation of flights was not certain. Ultimately, Chief Minister Amarinder Singh stood in for Ms. Gandhi at Rampura Phul and State unit president Shamsher Singh Dullo at Sirhind. The crowds patiently waited to hear them.

With forecasts of similar conditions over the next two days, star campaigners, including political stalwarts and film and television actors, have been forced to travel by road, reaching the venues much behind schedule.

At Rampura Phul, Capt. Singh praised sitting Independent MLA Gurpreet Singh Kangar, contesting on the Congress ticket this time, for organising an impressive gathering.

Striking a personal note, he said his ancestors, hailing from Jaisalmer in Rajasthan, settled in Rampura Phul in 1305. The historic town was founded by his ancestors Baba Rama and Baba Phul.

Capt. Singh said he expected the people to extend their full support and cooperation to the Congress as the present Government took a bold stand in safeguarding the interests of farmers by annulling all previous agreements on inter-State sharing of river waters in 2004. This saved about 16 lakh families in the southern districts, including Patiala, Sangrur, Mansa, Bathinda, Barnala, Ferozepur and Faridkot.

Public response to the Congress meetings was increasing everyday, he said and expressed confidence that the party would create a record, retaining power in the State. "Now it is for the people to judge which party stood to safeguard the interests of the citizens."

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