This Article is From Apr 18, 2015

For Rahul Gandhi's 'Comeback Rally,' Congress Goes All Out

Rahul Gandhi returned to Delhi on Thursday after a 2-month sabbatical

New Delhi: He was widely expected to dive back into party affairs today but Rahul Gandhi, who returned on Thursday after an extended sabbatical, met no Congress leader except his mother Sonia Gandhi, the party chief.

His first meeting in nearly two months will now be with a delegation of farmers tomorrow, to prep for a massive rally on Sunday against the government's proposed law to make it easier to acquire land from farmers for key projects.

The Congress is pulling out all the stops for the rally that many see as Mr Gandhi's "comeback" show. The party aims to bring one lakh farmers to Delhi's Ramlila Ground, and many leaders are hoping to make a mark.

Rajasthan party chief Sachin Pilot has booked a special 17-coach "Kissan (farmer) Express" from Jaipur to Delhi.

In Haryana, the rivalry between two factions is likely to result in two kinds of groups showing up in Delhi. Former chief minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda has asked his supporters to wear pink turbans, and state unit chief Ashok Tanwar has asked for Gandhi caps.

Supporters from Punjab will also be colour-coded. Saffron turbans will be worn by supporters of former chief minister Amarinder Singh. His rival, state Congress chief Pratap Singh Bajwa, said, "All those in other colours will be our supporters."

Some 500 buses have been arranged for 25,000 supporters and farmers in Delhi. More than 25 juice and snack stalls are being set up.

No one in the Congress wants a repeat of last year, when people started walking out in the middle of Rahul Gandhi's speech at a public meeting for the national election.

"Sometimes arrangements may not be complete. This time there are 14 huge LED screens and a cultural events stage to ensure that everyone can participate," Brahm Yadav said.

The arrangements were discussed at a meeting this morning, but Rahul Gandhi was MIA.

"We are the foot soldiers, we all work under the directives and directions of the Congress leadership, including Rahul Gandhi," said senior leader Digvijaya Singh, when asked whether Rahul missed a chance to reacquaint himself with the politically vital topic by skipping the meeting.
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