ALIGARH, 1 May 2007 — Youth Congress activists burned the effigy of Uttar Pradesh’s Urban Development Minister Azam Khan in Aligarh yesterday for his alleged derogatory remarks against Congress party leader Rahul Gandhi. The protester blocked roads and traffic was disturbed for two hours.
The Aligarh city Youth Congres President Naushad Qureshi criticized Azam Khan for describing Rahul as a ‘pig’ and said that Azam is more known for his foul mouthing and use of abusive language in all political and social circles.
Rahul was on the road again yesterday, campaigning relentlessly in the summer sun during the Uttar Pradesh polls and promising voters that he will be with them even after the elections were over.
As always, the crowds lined up to catch a glimpse of the Gandhi scion as his road show moved in different parts of Jaunpur, about 50 km from Varanasi which goes to poll on May 3. Apart from addressing brief roadside meetings, he addressed two rallies at Mandiyahun and Garwara where he received a thunderous applause.
“I am not the one to go back on his words, I will keep coming after the Assembly polls as well and keep working with you,” he assured the audience.
The star campaigner of the Congress, trying desperately to bid for power in this sprawling state, called upon the people to “think with an open mind and to adopt a modern outlook.” In a broadside against the ruling Samajwadi Party and Chief Minister Mulayam Singh Yadav, he said in Mandiyahun: “UP’s problems exist not because of the people of the state, but due to an inefficient and corrupt government which did not have either development of the state or the welfare of the people on its list of priorities.”
AMU Controller Appointed
The acting Vice Chancellor of Aligarh Muslim University professor M. Salahuddin yesterday appointed professor Akhtar Haseeb as the new controller of examinations and admissions.
