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Sunday, Aug 31, 2008
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National

Congress presents a united front

Special Correspondent

MUMBAI: After the crisis precipitated by Revenue Minister Narayan Rane’s resignation, the Maharashtra Congress tried to project a united front on Saturday when All India Congress Committee general secretary Margaret Alva was in the city to launch a membership drive.

Apart from Ms. Alva, Union Minister for Panchayati Raj Mani Shankar Aiyar, Chief Minister Vilasrao Deshmukh, Maharashtra Pradesh Congress Committee president Manikrao Thakre and Congress Campaign Committee chief Gurudas Kamat were present. Mr. Rane dispelled all doubts about his loyalty to the Congress from which he has threatened to resign more than once. Speaking on the occasion, he pledged his assistance to the party’s victory in the forthcoming elections to the Lok Sabha and later to the State Assembly. Referring to the membership drive, he said it was not enough to enlist token members but those who were committed to making the party a success. He said Congress President Sonia Gandhi’s wishes must be fulfilled by ensuring the party’s victory in the elections. He called on all the new members who have been appointed to the MPCC and the Mumbai Regional Congress Committee (MRCC) to justify Ms. Gandhi’s confidence.

While Mr. Rane tried to mend fences with his party, Ms. Alva ticked off the State Congress leaders for not going to the people with the achievements of the party. She said people wanted to know where the Central funds have gone. Pointing out that Rs. 35,000 crore has been sanctioned by the Centre for developing Mumbai’s infrastructure, she said “aam aadmi” was asking about government’s achievements.

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