Now, Congress to take its battle onto streets to teach Anna lesson

Intent on launching their counterattack even before Team Anna recovers from its recent dismal show at the MMRDA grounds, the Congress is planning to take their battle against corruption onto the streets, apparently with the aim of teaching the social crusader a lesson.

Reacting to Team Anna’s resolve to “campaign against Congress in the BMC elections in Mumbai and five other states during assembly elections”, the state Congress has decided to hold a massive public rally of all India Congress president Sonia Gandhi at the MMRDA grounds at the Bandra-Kurla complex — the same venue where Anna failed to put up a solid show of numbers.

Apart from conveying a strong political message to the masses, the Congress rally is expected to help scaling the attack against the ruling Shiv Sena and BJP in the BMC for the last 15 years. A senior All-India Congress Committee (AICC) functionary told DNA, “The parliament session may be over, but it’s just the beginning of a bigger fight on the streets.” Explaining the objective of the Sonia rally, he added, “Sonia will be our trump card when it comes to wiping out the Anna fever in five states, including the civic elections in Maharashtra.” However, the final dates of the rally are to be worked out once the BMC elections dates are announced.

Stating that the proposed Sonia rally will speak volumes for those doubting the party’s commitment to combating corruption, the AICC functionary indicated that state Congress leaders have been after them to organise at least one Sonia rally at the MMRDA grounds. A general secretary of Maharashtra Pradesh Congress Committee on conditions of anonymity said, “Ahead of the crucial UP elections, a message from Sonia in Mumbai will serve multiple purposes, both social and political.” Compared to the poor 15,000-odd turnout at Anna’s fast, we can easily beat them with one lakh  crowd at any given time,” he added.

Recalling the Lokpal proceedings in the Parliament, MPCC chief Manikrao Thakre said by now “all have seen for themselves how much effort the Congress had taken to pass the Lokpal bill, which was sabotaged by BJP and others”. He added: “Moreover, we have an upright CM in Prithviraj Chavan, who is determined to bring transparency in administration and public life.”

A Sonia rally held at MMRDA before the 2009 Parliament polls was described by the Congress as “mother of all rallies.” And significantly the party reaped electoral success in the Mumbai.  Political managers in the state Congress said, “In 2009 rally, Gandhi had said Mumbai is the gateway of India.”

Ahead of the BMC polls, a message from Sonia could work as a magic wand, believe officials in Mumbai and Maharashtra Congress.