Cong lends Ram Jethmalani a hand, finally

With barely five days left for polling in Lucknow, the Congress on Thursday finally mobilised its cadres in support of Independent candidate from Lucknow Ram Jethmalani.

AICC secretary Subodhkant Sahay will lead the offensive. The chairman of the Congress election campaign committee, Sanjay Singh, went to the extent of declaring Congress workers who did not join the campaign as deserters and threatened strict action against them.

Even Rajya Sabha MP Akhilesh Das broke his silence on Thursday after remaining in isolation for over two weeks. Coming out in support of the Independent candidate, Das said all differences with Jethmalani had been patched up. "My supporters will make door-to-door visits in support of Jethmalani," he said.

The Congress is emphasising that the battle for Lucknow is crucial for the party's prospects at the Centre.

AICC general secretary Mukul Wanik urged Congress workers to let go of their egos. History will be written in Lucknow if Vajpayee is defeated, he said.

Sonia Gandhi, who was apparently unhappy with the progress of the campaign for Jethmalani, is believed to have directed Congress leaders to support him whole-heartedly.

Jethmalani could hardly suppress his jubilation over the Congress' newly-found energy and urged workers to campaign intensely.