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Sharat Pradhan in Lucknow
The National Democratic Alliance's Lucknow rally, aimed at countering the Congress onslaught on Tehelka, has run into trouble.
Loktantrik Congress Party chief Naresh Agarwal has demanded the rally instead of focusing on Tehelka should discuss the developmental issues pertaining to the state.
This is being seen as an attempt by the LCP, a key constituent of the NDA in Uttar Pradesh, to distance itself from the coalition in as far the Tehelka controversy is concerned.
Just a few days back UP's Housing and Urban Development Minister Lalji Tandon and the BJP's state unit chief Kalraj Misra had described the rally as the first major offensive against "the Tehelka conspiracy."
"I have urged the NDA leadership as well as the prime minister to refrain from focussing on the Tehelka affair," Agarwal told mediapersons in Lucknow on Saturday.
"Instead of wasting time on Tehelka, which is not an issue with the masses, let the Centre come out with a development or economic package for Uttar Pradesh," Agarwal said.
Claiming that at least 100,000 LCP workers would attend the rally, he said: "Let the NDA be a witness to the LCP's strength in Uttar Pradesh."
A massive pandal has been erected along the banks of the Gomati river for the rally.
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