Sonia, Rahul participation for Aug 30 rally not yet final:Cong

With just four days left for the grand 'secular' alliance rally in Bihar, uncertainty looms large over the participation of Congress president Sonia Gandhi and vice-president Rahul Gandhi.
The AICC also took exception to moves to rope in Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal for campaigning for the alliance suggesting that it would be counter productive given AAP's "dismal" record at governance.
"The participation of the Congress President and Vice President in the rally is not yet final", party general secretary Shakeel Ahmed said today.
The rally scheduled at Patna's historic Gandhi maidan on August 30 is planned to be the first joint rally by top leaders of the alliance to take on the BJP-led NDA.

Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar and RJD Chief Lalu Prasad has organised the rally in an apparent move to project a united face of the alliance.
Ahmed, who is a senior leader from Bihar, however, said that there will be "good participation" of state party leaders and workers in the rally as also central leaders.

He said that the Congress had held district-wise meetings to ensure that the rally becomes a success.
Ahmed, who had been in-charge of party affairs of Delhi till few months back, assailed moves to invite Kejriwal for campaigning in Bihar.
"Kejriwal has created hell in Delhi after taking over power. The situation has been further compounded by the malgovernance of the BJP in the three Municipal Corporations in Delhi. How can his campaigning help the alliance in Bihar?", questioned Ahmed.

Reports had it that if Sonia keeps away from the launch of the 'secular' coalition, the Nitish Kumar-Lalu Prasad combine is likely to stand downgraded as the inclusion of Congress has given it a national colour.