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Kesri may give ticket to Rao

Congress chief Sitaram Kesri has indicated that he would give party tickets to his critics like former prime minister P V Narasimha Rao.

Kesri said partymen could not be denied tickets because of chargesheets as former Union minister Kalpanath Rai has been acquitted after being chargesheeted in a Terrorists and Disruptive Activities (Prevention) Act case.

This clear climbdown in Kesri's earlier policy of denying tickets to such tainted leaders seems to stem from his fears regarding the Sonia Gandhi juggernaut. He also plans to boost his political fortunes in the post-poll scenario

Asked whether he would accompany Sonia to Sriperambudur, where she would kick off her campaign on the party's behalf, Kesri answered in the negative. Later, he said that nothing has been fixed as yet.

Significantly, although the second rung of Congress leadership comprising leaders like Jitendra Prasada, Madhavrao Scindia and Arjun Singh are ostensibly sticking with Kesri for the moment, Congressmen feel he will have to relinquish his party presidentship soon. ''Now, it is question of whether he will be replaced by Sonia before or after the poll,'' said a party joint secretary.

Significantly, the party leadership is tight-lipped about arrangements for accommodating the media in Sonia's election entourage.

The All India Congress Committee headquarters has been inundated with requests from media organisations to accommodate their reporters in Sonia's entourage. But the media has been kept in the dark so far.

RELATED REPORT:
Congress denies Sonia-Kesri loyalists's clash

EARLIER REPORTS:
Priyanka to accompany Sonia during campaign
More support to Indian industry if Congress comes to power
Sonia to launch her campaign on Jan 11
Rajiv or Stability, the Congress is in a dilemma
Sonia's move sparks panic in UF, BJP
CWC targets Kesri
Sonia takes the plunge

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