Jammu, May 27: The high profile visit of All India Congress Committee (AICC) Chief, Sonia Gandhi, may bring a temporary truce within the Congress camps, despite the fact that both factions of the party were making separate preparations for, otherwise, a non-party function to be held in Jammu.
Well informed sources in the party circles said that the two groups having their loyalty with Union minister Ghulam Nabi Azad and PCC president Saif-ud-Din Soz were making hectic efforts to show strength in the function to be organized by Gujjar Desh Charitable Trust. 
“The party high command has made it clear that the factionalism should not surface in any way during the visit of Sonia Gandhi, which may have far reaching consequences on the party reputation across the country,” sources claimed.
Though the function is apolitical, sources said that the party is gearing up its leaders and workers so as to show a considerable gathering. “All the senior leaders of the party, irrespective of their affiliation, will attend the function”, a senior Congress leader told Greater Kashmir, preferring not to be named.
He said that the party leaders were busy in consulting the district and block level leaders in Jammu and its surrounding district to ensure party presence in the function. “Party workers were busy in preparation of banners and flags at the official residence of one of the cabinet ministers, having affiliation with Soz group, in Jammu”, he added.
Member Parliament Madan Lal Sharma also held a meeting of traders, non-political organizations and social activists in Jammu on Wednesday evening. The purpose of the meeting, sources said, was to explore the possibility of their presence at the function.  
“Even if temporarily the visit may bring the arch rivals in the party on one platform,” observed another Congress leader. He added that the visit may also lead to consolidation within party ranks, in case Sonia addressed the issue.
The AICC chief, sources said, will arrive on May 29 in Jammu and will inaugurate the building constructed by Gujjar Desh Charitable Trust. She is also schedule to address a press conference, immediately after the function.Meanwhile, sources said that a team of Special Protection Group (SPG), responsible for VIP security, arrived in Jammu this morning and took over the control of the venue. “Thorough checking of the premises was conducted by the SPG with the help of local police, while no one is being allowed to enter the premises without frisking,” sources said.
They added that the police have also tightened its vigil in and around the city to ensure fool-proof security. Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Jammu held a detailed meeting of all the concerned police officers early this morning and directed them to remain extra vigilant and ensure area domination of their respective areas.

Lastupdate on : Thu, 27 May 2010 21:30:00 Makkah time
Lastupdate on : Thu, 27 May 2010 18:30:00 GMT
Lastupdate on : Fri, 28 May 2010 00:00:00 IST