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Will Sonia Gandhi take a dip at the Sangam?
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January 21, 2007 20:46 IST

After Samajwadi Party chief Mulayam Singh Yadav, it could be the turn of Congress president Sonia Gandhi to take a holy dip in the Ganges at Sangam in Allahabad during the ongoing Ardh Kumba mela ahead of assembly polls in Uttar Pradesh.

"Chances are there but the date is not finalised," highly- placed party sources said indicating that Sonia may go there soon. She had also visited the Kumbh Mela six years ago.

Sonia's possible visit assumes significance as it comes ahead of the assembly elections in Uttar Pradesh where Congress is making a determined bid to revive its fortunes.

It is unclear whether her son and emerging leader, Rahul Gandhi, who is making concerted efforts to galvanise the party in the state, would visit Allahabad.

Meanwhile, AICC general secretary Ashok Gehlot, who is in-charge of party affairs in UP, said Yadav's holy dip would not help in altering the fortunes of ruling Samajwadi Party in UP as it was 'on its way out' after being deserted by allies.

"How can a visit to Allahabad help the chief minister who has not paid attention to governance," Gehlot told PTI.

A few months back, Gehlot and UPCC president Salman Khursheed had met Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and wanted the Centre to ensure adequate food-grains and other necessities at Allahabad during the Ardh Kumbh.

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Mulayam Singh Yadav had on Saturday taken the holy dip at the Sangam and met saints camping at the ongoing Ardh Kumbh mela.

Yadav, accompanied by Samajwadi Party MP Kunwar Reoti Raman Singh and some top state government officials, also visited the famous Bade Hanuman temple.

Asked by mediapersons whether he had prayed for his continuance in power, the chief minister quipped, "I have prayed for the welfare of all."

Yadav took the dip ahead of the crucial show of strength in the state assembly for his government scheduled for the coming week.


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