ABVP activists took to the streets in Jabalpur on June 25 after a Madhya Pradesh Congress leader portrayed Congress president Sonia Gandhi as Rani Lakshmibai, the legendary 19th century warrior queen. The activists were incensed after former Congress MP Kailash Sonekar published posters of Sonia Gandhi in which she was portrayed as Rani Lakshmibai. The slogan-shouting protestors burnt an effigy of Sonekar and demanded the resignation of Sonia Gandhi. ABVP leader Baba Srivastava said: ?Depicting Sonia Gandhi as Rani Lakshmibai shows that Congress workers indulge in such activities to please Sonia Gandhi. Vidyarthi Parishad will not tolerate this.? However, Sonekar defended his action saying it only reflected the sacrifices made by Sonia Gandhi. Reacting to Sonekar'scomments, the ABVP said the incident only highlighted the sycophancy among the Congress ranks. (FOC)
