Lucknow: SP on Thursday said it was against
political courtesy of the Congress to field Rahul Gandhi for
campaigning in Firozabad against Mulayam Singh Yadav's
daughter-in-law Dimple in the Lok Sabha bypoll.
"As if fielding a candidate, that too a SP turncoat
(Raj Babbar), against Dimple was not enough, the Congress is
fielding its topmost leaders like Rahul Gandhi for campaigning
which is against political courtesy," party spokesman Rajendra
Chaudhary said.
He said his party had displayed "decency and reverence"
by not fielding anybody against Sonia Gandhi or Rahul Gandhi
in the general elections in May.
"Though we do not expect anything in return, the Congress
should have shown some political courtesy," Chaudhary said,
adding it could have sent a positive signal among the people
of Firozabad, the traditional seat of SP.
Defending its decision, Congress said campaign by its top
leaders would send a message that the party is giving Uttar
Pradesh top priority with an eye on the state assembly polls
in 2012.
"It is a clear message that the top leadership, including
Rahul, is taking a keen interest in Uttar Pradesh and is
giving it top priority," UPCC spokesman Subodh Srivastava
said.
The November 7 by-election has been necessitated after
resignation of Akhilesh Yadav who vacated Firozabad and
retained Kannauj Lok Sabha seat.
"The party knows that in UP its direct fight is with SP
and at this juncture, showing any laxity would be detrimental
to our future interests," Srivasatava said.
On SP not fielding anybody against Sonia and Rahul in the
Lok Sabha polls, he said the scenario was totally different at
that time as negotiations for seat adjustment were going on.
Other than Rahul, senior party leaders, including Union
Ministers of State Jitin Prasada, Shriprakash Jaiswal, Salman
Khursheed, MP from Moradabad Azharuddin and leader of
Legislative Party Pramod Tiwari will also campaign in favour
of party candidate.
For Dimple, who is making her debut in the electoral
politics, Mulayam Singh and Akhilesh are already campaigning
in Firozabad while party leaders Sanjay Dutt, Jaya Prada and
Jaya Bachchan are also likely to canvass for her.
Bureau Report
First Published: Thursday, October 29, 2009, 19:36