Congress general secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra is likely to visit Lucknow by weekend to look into the preparations for ensuring the success of ‘Bharat Bachchao Rally’ in New Delhi on December 14.
Party sources said assessing that UP Congress chief Ajay Kumar Lallu was facing resistance from dissidents while preparing for the rally, Priyanka decided to camp in Lucknow for two days and sort out differences and act against those keeping themselves aloof from the rally, if need be.
During her visit, Priyanka will meet with party leaders from different regions and review preparedness.
The UPCC is also finalising some slogans and publicity material to attract attention for the rally. However, the final call on publicity material and slogans will be taken by Priyanka herself.
Earlier, ten senior Congress leaders were expelled by Lallu after only a handful of leaders turned up at a meeting called by him to chalk out a strategy for the Delhi rally.
The Congress has called for a mega rally to raise issues related to agrarian crisis and economic slowdown along with farmers’ issues at Ramlila Maidan in Delhi on December 14. Congress workers have started gearing up for the rally with wall paintings, posters, hoardings etc. Some local leaders entrusted with the task of bringing people to the rally from their respective constituencies have started booking buses and trains for the purpose.
Lalu said on Tuesday that about 100 people from each Assembly segment were expected to reach Delhi for the rally on December 14.
“UPCC officials are working hard for the rally and ‘nukkad sabhas’ are being organised to inform people about the economic slowdown and farmers’ issues,” he said.
A volunteer force has also been set up for the rally and mobilisation from the state will be monitored with the help of a dedicated control room. A call centre will also be set up by the volunteer force which will help in mobilisation of party workers for the rally. Sources said that audio and video messages from Gandhi will also be released to invite more people to the rally.