Putting all speculations of his removal from the post at rest, state Congress president, Nirmal Khatri, blamed the Opposition for launching a campaign against him through media just to weaken the proposed agitation of the party on March 12. “The recent media reports about change in the state leadership was an effort to weaken the agitation by confusing the rank and file,” he said while hinting that the Opposition Parties — Samajwadi Party and Bharatiya Janta Party were behind the campaign through media.
Addressing a press conference here on Tuesday evening, confident Khatri said there is no question of change in the state leadership and there is no reason seen in any change now. Interestingly, he even pointed that it could be a job of some insider. “I do not know anyone from inside who could be behind the news of my removal”, replied Khatri to a query from the media but he also invited the journalists that if he hand any information, than he should tell him the name after press conference or even later as the input could be vital for him in the future.
It may be mentioned that media reports had claimed that Khatri would be replaced very soon along with the AICC general secretary and in-charge of UP Madusudan Mistri. Khatri also announced that the March 12 state wide ‘ Rail and Road roko’ agitation would be a historic one. The agitation would be held out of the city limits from 11am to 2pm on Thursday. The agitation would be against both the Centre as well as the UP government for their failures, he said.
The Congress leader was very critical on the administration of the Akhilesh Yadav government with claiming that the act of the government is totally biased. ‘In Saharanpur robbery case, the SSP was suspended by the government but in luckow ATM robbery, the SSP has been spared, which proves the biased role of the government,’ he alleged. Sources said that while Khatri would lead the agitation in lucknow, AICC general secretary and incharge of Congress in UP, Madhusudan Mistri would lead it in Western Uttar Pradesh.