M A I N   N E W S

Bansal Cong observer for Gujarat
Prashant Sood
Tribune News Service

New Delhi, July 20
The Congress today appointed two central observers for Gujarat.

Rajya Sabha member Suresh Pachouri and Lok Sabha member from Chandigarh Pawan Kumar Bansal have been named as the central observers for the coming Assembly poll in the state.

In another move apparently taken with an eye on the Assembly elections in Gujarat, Mr Ahmed Patel, political secretary to Congress President Sonia Gandhi, has been made in-charge of the minority department at the AICC.

The vacancy in the minority department had arisen due to resignation of former Maharashtra Chief Minister A R Antulay who had quit in protest against the “indifference” of the Congress high-command towards the department.

The party earlier this week appointed former Chief Minister Shanker Sinh Vaghela as chief of its Gujarat unit.

Today’s decisions, taken a day after the dissolution of the Gujarat Assembly, indicate that the Congress has begun preparing for Gujarat elections in the earnest. Though no indication has been given by the Election Commission about the poll dates yet, the Congress wants to make the best use of the available time.  

In another move aimed at addressing the electorate of Gujarat, which was hit by communal violence three months ago, the Congress will tomorrow launch “Sadbhavna ke Sipahi,” a force that will seek to spread secularism throughout the country.

Billed as rapid action force, the “Sadbhavna ke Sipahi” will initiate series of programmes aimed at strengthening the secular roots of the country.

The force will be headed by veteran actor and Congress activist Sunil Dutt.