Some party workers, largely Sharad Pawar supporters and activists of the Youth Congress and the National Students' Union of India (NSUI), shouted slogans hailing Pawar and demanded that his portrait be displayed on the dais. There were only two pictures on the dias - of All-India Congress Committee President Sonia Gandhi and former prime minister Rajiv Gandhi. The Congressmen said the party should give Pawar due respect.

The agitators were fired by the demand for a change in the local leadership demanded by their leaders, Munna Sharma (vice-president of the state unit of the Youth Congress) and Anil Chaugule (city unit president of the NSUI).

MPCC Vice-President Ulhas Pawar, who chaired the session urged the speakers to refrain from individual criticism.

The activists also alleged that urban leaders andthose branded as `armchair leaders' were given preference over rural representatives. Before the unrest could lead to fisticuffs, police were summoned while Bhosale himself tried to pacify the agitators.

Though Pawar's portrait was not displayed, Bhosale, without naming anyone, said armchair leaders occupying party posts for ornamental purposes should resign as the Congress requires people who are committed to working for the party and people. Young blood should be given more avenues to work for the party, he added.

In his speech, Bhosale said he had promised Sonia Gandhi that the Congress would secure 200 seats in the next Assembly elections due in 2000. He claimed people are now convinced that the State is better off with the Congress at the helm.

JD chief postpones plan to hang himself

NASHIK: Maharashtra Janata Dal president and MLA from Malegaon, Nihal Ahmed, has postponed his plan to hang himself along with four party colleagues to protest against the delay in issuing ration cards topeople below the poverty line.

Ahmed told The Indian Express today that the government officials concerned had given an undertaking that the formalities would be complete within a week. Following a written assurance to this effect, he said, he has decided to postpone his plan to commit suicide till Anant Chaturdashi (the conclusion of the Ganesh festivities on September 5).

On Wednesday, Ahmed had announced in Malegaon that he and four others would hang themselves in public in front of the sub-divisional officer today to protest against the delay in issuing ration cards.

He said about 2,000 people below the poverty line have been waiting for ration cards since the last five months, even though the formalities had been completed. He said the work has been proceeding at snail's pace and only 150 to 200 people had got their cards till date.

Following his threat, he was called for discussions, during which the officials promised to issue the cards within a week.