Rahul Gandhi to address rally in Thiruvananthapuram tomorrow

Congress Vice President Rahul Gandhi will address a rally here tomorrow in connection with the culmination of the Kerala Yatra, led by Kerala Pradesh Congress Committee president Ramesh Chennithala.
Senior Congress leaders including Defence Minister A K Antony and Chief Minister Oommen Chandy would also address the concluding session of the Yatra, which began from Hosangadi near Manjeswaram in Kasaragod on April 18, Chennithala told reporters here.
The yatra, aimed at improving the party's prospects in the coming Lok Sabha elections, covered all 140 Assembly segments.
He rejected opposition CPI-M allegation that UDF government surrendered to the wishes of social and communal organisations.

"All organisations have the right to express their opinions. But, the core point was what the government accepts and implements," he added.
Answering a question, Chennithala said UDF would perform well in the next Lok Sabha polls and had already started the preparations for it.

On the demand by MPs from Kerala that Antony should take more interest in the party affairs in the state, he said, "We welcome it. KPCC always welcomes the advice and instructions of Antony."
Asked whether there would be a cabinet reshuffle, he said KPCC had not discussed the matter.
Terming as 'success' the one-month long yatra, Chennithala said he was able to have an on-the-spot study of the problems and issues faced by the people of Kerala.

On the performance of the two-year old Congress led UDF Government headed by Chief Minister Oommen Chandy, Chennithala said government's performance was much better than expected in difficult times.