Rahul Gandhi to tour poll-bound UP next week

In an attempt to revive electoral fortunes of the Congress in poll-bound Uttar Pradesh, AICC General Secretary Rahul Gandhi will begin his tour of the state on Tuesday from Barabanki, 29-km from Lucknow.

"Gandhi's visit may be extended to six days. After visiting Barabanki, Bahraich, Balrampur and Shravasti, he will hold an election meeting at Kushinagar which will be his last stop," Congress UP chief Rita Bahuguna Joshi told reporters.

Besides attending roadside receptions and holding meetings with workers, he would also meet mediapersons, Joshi said.

Gandhi had earlier avoided interaction with the media during his visits to the state.

At every district, Gandhi would meet party workers at block-level to feel the pulse of common man ahead of 2012 state Assembly polls, Joshi said.

On former BSP minister Babu Singh Khushwaha alleging threat to his life in a letter to Chief Minister Mayawati, Joshi said the state government should ensure his safety.

The leader had been very close to Mayawati and knew a lot about functioning of her party, she said.