Rahul Gandhi to visit city January 15, local Congress leaders spar

In an attempt to motivate party workers before the civic polls to be held next year, the Mumbai Congress has decided to organise a padyatra (march) against the BJP-Sena government and a public address by Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi. Mr Gandhi is scheduled to visit Mumbai on January 15 and 16 when the morcha and rally will be conducted.

However, the meeting of local Congress leaders to decide the schedule of Mr Gandhi's visit saw flared tempers as party legislators Naseem Khan and Aslam Shaikh reportedly used abusive language against each other. The altercation between the leaders occurred, as they wanted the march to go through their respective constituency. Further, there was also some disagreement on the location of the public address.

According to Bhai Jagtap, member of state Legislative Council, four sites were proposed for the rally and march. “There were a few suggestions on whether the march would start from Bandra west or east. That was the reason for differences

between Khan and Shaikh,” Mr Jagtap said, adding, “Expressing different viewpoints is part of living in a democracy. It does not mean that both leaders should fight with each other.” He added said that their job was to simply suggest three-four sites and send it to the Special Protection Group (SPG), which would take the final decision on the sites for the address and march.Further, a source said that Mr Nirupam informed in the meeting that Shanmukhananda Hall was not available for party meetings.

Hence, he suggested that the meeting be arranged somewhere in North Mumbai, which is also his constituency. However, Mr Khan opposed Mr Nirupam's idea and said that the interaction should be arranged at Rajiv Gandhi Bhavan, as party president Sonia Gandhi had once conducted it there.

Eyewitnesses at the meeting said that many party workers welcomed Mr Khan's suggestion. However, miffed with this, MLA Shaikh, a staunch supporter of Mr Nirupam attacked Mr Khan and used abusive language. Mr Gaikwad intervened to pacify both of them.

Mr Khan and Mr Jagtap maintained that there was no physical attack. Mr Khan, however, admitted that it was just \"nok jhok\" (war of words). Mr Shaikh was not available for comment.0

Meanwhile, Congress has suggested the Somaiya Grounds at Chunabhatti, NSC ground at Goregoan and Chiku Ground (BMC ground) at Borivali for the public rally. The march is likely to start from Bandra (east) and will end at 95 Feet Road in Dharavi. The Mumbai police has not granted permission to start the march from Bandra (west). Mumbai Congress president Mr Nirupam, along with former Union minister Gurudas Kamat, former MPs Priya Dutt, Eknath Gaikwad and sitting, as well as former legislators, were present at the meeting held at Rajiv Gandhi Bhavan.