Sonia May Try To Woo Maharashtra Minorities

The publication of Shrikrishna Commission report has added significance to Sonia Gandhi's visit to Bombay today as it would be her first public engagement in the city after the indictment of Shiv Sena supremo Balasaheb Thakre for Sainik's role in the Bombay riots in January 1993.

Sonia Gandhi is expected to take part in the functions to commemorate the launch of the `Quit India' movement on August 9 in 1942 which might include a march. The party which is hoping to reclaim some lost ground among the minorities who got alienated from the Congress after its passivity over demolition of the Babari Mosque at Ayodhya, would like to use the opportunity of Gandhi's presence in Bombay to woo the minorities.

Though the minoriteis in Maharashtra had backed the Congress in the previous Lok Sabha election, it was not strong enought to set a trend that could have its impact over the minorities living in other States.