Polls apart in UP

The Congress was the first off the block, strengthening the party machinery for the upcoming Uttar Pradesh elections. The party has set up its screening committee, regardless of the fact that the Congress president is unwell. The first meeting of the committee headed by party general secretary Mohan Prakash, considered a protege party honcho Janardan Dwivedi, was held last week. The other important pointsman appointed recently, Jayadev Jena, is also a Dwivedi supporter. Jena will be the third UP-in-charge after Pervez Hashmi and Avinash Pande — the trio along with Prakash will coordinate the grant of nominations to candidates on behalf of the party. However, PCC chief Rita Bahuguna Joshi feels betrayed.