Sonia to address rallies in Himachal Pradesh today

Congress Party President Sonia Gandhi will address two rallies in Himachal Pradesh today for the second phase of Assembly elections, scheduled to be held on December 19.

Shimla, Dec 15 : Congress Party President Sonia Gandhi will address two rallies in Himachal Pradesh today for the second phase of Assembly elections, scheduled to be held on December 19.

Sonia will address a rally at the state capital. Later, she will address another rally at Una district.

Earlier, Sonia was to begin electioneering on December 11 at Rehan and Mandi but her visit was cancelled due to bad weather.

Besides Sonia, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and All India Congress Committee (AICC) General Secretary Rahul Gandhi will also begin their campaign for the party in the hill state.

Dr. Singh is scheduled to arrive here on December 17 to address election meetings at Bilaspur and Palampur.

According to sources, Rahul is likely to conduct a road show in Kangra district on December 16.

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister and leader of the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) Mayawati will visit the hill state on Sunday.

In the last assembly elections, Congress Party had three seats while the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) had two.

The second phase of polling in 65 constituencies will take place on December 19.

The first phase of polling was held in three tribal constituencies of Kinnaur, Lahaul Spiti and Bharmour on November 14.

The counting of votes will take place on December 28.

The term of the State Assembly is due to expire on March 9, 2008.

ANI