Sonia suffers mild asthma attack to resume campaigning

Mumbai: Sonia Gandhi, who had a minor asthma attack, will resume the campaigning soon, it is reliably learnt. The Congress President cancelled her Maharashtra tour on Monday, citing health reasons. She was scheduled to address three election rallies in Maharashtra – in Dhule, Nandurbar and a joint rally in Mumbai with son and Congress Vice-President Rahul Gandhi.

In fact, NCP Chief and Union Minister Sharad Pawar, too, decided to skip the Mumbai election rally with Rahul Gandhi, leaving slightly Congress embarrassed.

While the party claims the chopper that was supposed to carry Pawar from Mahad to Mumbai could not take off due to bad weather, the party chief’s absence does not come as a surprise for those who have been closely following the alliance. Time and again, Pawar has expressed his reservations over the working style of Congress’ gen-next leader.

Pawar was quite vocal in his disapproval of Rahul’s manner in which he forced the UPA government to withdraw the controversial ordinance on tainted MPs. He was also unhappy about the implementation of the food security scheme, although later he had relented. Even while addressing NCP leaders, Pawar has passed cryptic remarks on the national advisory committee.

Milind Deora, Eknath Gaikwad, Priya Dutt, Gurudas Kamat, Sanjay Nirupam of Congress party and NCP candidate Sanjay Dina Patil are locked in a close battle with BJP and Shiv Sena party candidates.