Imphal, March 31 2009: Effecting a slight change, scion of the Gandhi family, Rahul Gandhi is set to give Imphal a miss and instead kick off the election campaign of Congress candidate Thangso Baite in the Outer seat, at Churachandpur on April 2 .

Earlier, Rahul Gandhi was expected to address a public meeting at Hafta Kangjeibung on April 2 .

Dr T Meinya is the Congress candidate in the Inner Constituency.

Rahul Gandhi is set to address a public meeting at Churachandpur on April 2, which is the home district of Thangso Baite, said officials and added that a high level security meeting was held today to chart out the security arrangements for the high profile visit.

The advanced SPG team which arrived at Imphal yesterday visited Churachandpur today to over see the security arrangement for Rahul Gandhi, said sources while speaking to The Sangai Express.

Media cell chairman of the MPCC (I) Seram Mangi said that Rahul Gandhi will arrive at Churachandpur district headquarters in a chopper from Aizawl on April 2 and he will address a public meeting at Tuibong ground to kick start the election campaign of Thangso Baite.

The young Congress man will then proceed to Imphal airport by the chopper after the public meeting to catch a flight to Delhi, said Mangi.

Top State Congress leaders including Chief Minister O Ibobi, MPCC (I) president Gaikhangam and others will attend the public meeting at Churachandpur, added Mangi.

Earlier Rahul Gandhi was scheduled to address a public meeting at Hafta Kangjeibung in Imphal but it was cancelled considering the fact that the Outer goes to the polls earlier on April 16 while elections in the Inner Constituency is scheduled on April 22, informed Mangi.

The message to cancel the schedule at Hafta Kangjeibung was relayed by the AICC today, said Mangi.

The advanced SPG team which arrived yesterday had already inspected Hafta Kangjeibung on their arrival.

The change in schedule however does not mean that the Inner seat will be given the short shrift as AICC president Sonia Gandhi is expected to arrive here some time in the second week of April to campaign for Dr T Meinya, added Mangi.

Meanwhile the election campaign of NCP candidate in the Outer seat, LB Sona was kicked off today with a huge car rally at the seven Assembly segments of Thoubal which fall under the Outer and then proceeded to Churachandpur the home district of Mr Sona.

The five hill districts of Churachandpur, Ukhrul, Tamenglong, Chandel and Senapati, not forgetting Sadar Hills and Jiribam come under the Outer Parliamentary Constituency.

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