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ShareLucknow: SP today said it was against political courtesy of the Congress to field Rahul Gandhi for campaigning in Firozabad against Mulayam Singh Yadav's daughter-in-law Dimple in the Lok Sabha bypoll.
"As if fielding a candidate, that too a SP turncoat (Raj Babbar), against Dimple was not enough, the Congress is fielding its topmost leaders like Rahul Gandhi for campaigning which is against political courtesy," party spokesman Rajendra Chaudhary said.
He said his party had displayed "decency and reverence" by not fielding anybody against Sonia Gandhi or Rahul Gandhi in the general elections in May.
"Though we do not expect anything in return, the Congress should have shown some political courtesy," Chaudhary said, adding it could have sent a positive signal among the people of Firozabad, the traditional seat of SP.
Defending its decision, Congress said campaign by its top leaders would send a message that the party is giving Uttar Pradesh top priority with an eye on the state assembly polls in 2012.
"It is a clear message that the top leadership, including Rahul, is taking a keen interest in Uttar Pradesh and is giving it top priority," UPCC spokesman Subodh Srivastava said.
The November 7 by-election has been necessitated after resignation of Akhilesh Yadav who vacated Firozabad and retained Kannauj Lok Sabha seat.
"The party knows that in UP its direct fight is with SP and at this juncture, showing any laxity would be detrimental to our future interests," Srivasatava said.
On SP not fielding anybody against Sonia and Rahul in the Lok Sabha polls, he said the scenario was totally different at that time as negotiations for seat adjustment were going on.
Other than Rahul, senior party leaders, including Union Ministers of State Jitin Prasada, Shriprakash Jaiswal, Salman Khursheed, MP from Moradabad Azharuddin and leader of Legislative Party Pramod Tiwari will also campaign in favour of party candidate.
For Dimple, who is making her debut in the electoral politics, Mulayam Singh and Akhilesh are already campaigning in Firozabad while party leaders Sanjay Dutt, Jaya Prada and Jaya Bachchan are also likely to canvass for her.
