2 parties want to hold rallies at same ground on same day

It's a typical case of ek phool - do mali. There's one ground and there are two claimants who are seeking permission to hold massive public rallies at the same time and the same day. Both the Congress and the BJP want to hold public meetings on September 17 at the Parade grounds. While the BJP wants to hold the Hyderabad Liberation Day function there the Congress wants to hold a political rally that would be addressed by Sonia Gandhi.

The Congress has applied for permission to hold a meeting in the rally some 15 days ago. So far it has not got any response from the defence authorities who are the owners of the land. The BJP says that the Central Government's official Hyderabad Liberation Day function would be held on the same ground as the Centre had held last year's function at the same venue. Moreover the ground has historical significance as Nizam's army had surrendered to Indian forces at the same venue.

The Congress has already begun publicity for the meeting and is hoping to attract at least 10 lakh persons. The arrangements are in full swing and party's national general secretary K Venu Gopal has already inspected the ground along with TPCC chief Revanth Reddy.The Congress is accusing the BJP of trying to thwart its public meeting.

However sources reveal that the Congress is also looking for other alternative venues. One such venue is the Lal Bahadur Stadium in the heart of the city. However the Congress feels that the BRS government will put spokes and ensure that the permission is not given to hold the public meeting. Other venues are also being considered according to Congress Party sources.