Rahul to skip Capt’s coronation rally

Bathinda, Laying all conjectures to rest, it was confirmed today that Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi would not be attending the coronation ceremony of Capt Amarinder Singh as the Punjab unit president, the event being marked with a rally in Bathinda on December 15.
Elaborating on the guest list for the rally, Congress’ Malwa in charge Gurpreet Singh Kangar said, “The PPCC chief (designate) spoke to Rahul Gandhi to invite him for the rally, but the plan didn’t materialise. Shakeel Ahmad, Harish Chaudhary and Ambika Soni will be present, besides the entire state party leadership.”
Rahul had played a major role in bringing back Amarinder as the PPCC chief. During his two-day visit to the state in November, Rahul had tapped the sentiments of the Congress leadership and workers to decide the new state party chief.
Confident of a massive crowd response, the organising committee has extended the area for public by more than 500 square feet compared to the first Akali ‘Sadbhavna Rally’, held at the same venue on November 23.
Compared to huge police arrangements for the SAD rally, which included senior officers and personnel from the adjoining districts, the Congress rally would be managed by about 700 policemen only from Bathinda. A senior police officer said, “Akali leaders have a bigger threat perspective compared to their Congress counterparts.”
A member of the organising committee and the one handling the preparations for the rally at the ground located inside Pearls Township, Kangar said, “Based on our feedback, we have increased the area from about 950 square feet to about 1,450. We have even covered the space kept by the SAD to carry out the ‘langar’ services, for accommodating the public. As far as security is concerned, our workers will manage very well.”