India pays homage to Rajiv Gandhi

India's next prime minister joined Congress party leader Sonia Gandhi yesterday in marking the death anniversary of her husband Rajiv but the two quickly returned to talks with allies bickering over cabinet posts. Party officials said Ms Gandhi and...

India's next prime minister joined Congress party leader Sonia Gandhi yesterday in marking the death anniversary of her husband Rajiv but the two quickly returned to talks with allies bickering over cabinet posts.

Party officials said Ms Gandhi and prime minister-designate Manmohan Singh had planned to visit the town of Sriperumbudur in southern India where Rajiv Gandhi was assassinated by a suicide bomber in 1991 but were now unlikely to do so.

"No, she is not going to Sriperumbudur. All functions are in New Delhi. A prayer meeting took place in the morning," party spokesman Anand Sharma said.

Local TV said her plans were changed because she was trying to resolve wrangling over cabinet posts among the allies.

Political strongman Laloo Prasad Yadav from the eastern state of Bihar had walked out of cabinet formation talks on Thursday after his demand to be given the powerful interior ministry was rejected by Congress.

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