Plans afoot in Congress to divide UP in 8 zones

NEW DELHI: Plans are afoot in Congress to divide Uttar Pradesh in eight zones for strengthening the organisation in the wake of the debacle of the party in the Assembly polls earlier this year.

Senior leaders, including Union Ministers, are being given responsibility as conveners for the different zones in a move to revive the party ahead of the 2014 Lok Sabha polls.

Nirmal Khatri was appointed the UPCC president a few days back and he is expected to take charge on Tuesday. AICC sources said the new arrangement is being worked out for better coordination and to accommodate all sections.

The names of P L Punia, R P N Singh, Jitin Prasad, Rashid Masood, Rajaram Pal and Vivek Singh among others are doing the rounds for the new slots.

Rahul Gandhi has been taking special interest in Uttar Pradesh where he had led the Congress campaign in the last Assembly polls. Khatri is said to be his choice.