Rahul to visit quake-hit Sikkim

Gandhi will stop at Gangtok en route to Meghalaya, where he is visiting as part of efforts to boost Youth Congress membership in the state, te party leader said.

He said Gandhi will meet party workers and officials to get a first-hand account of the extent of damage in Sunday's earthquake. At least 50 people have been killed in the quake in Sikkim.

Gandhi will stop over at Gangtok on his way to Ampati in the West Garo Hills of Meghalaya, where he will address a meeting of the Youth Congress activists.

A party leader said Gandhi may also undertake an aerial survey of the quake-affected areas of Sikkim en route to Meghalaya.

Gandhi's visit to Meghalaya is part of his meetings across the country to increase membership of the Youth Congress and encourage youth to join politics. Gandhi is Congress general secretary in charge of the Youth Congress.

"Rahulji is visiting Meghalaya to boost Youth Congress membership," Indian Youth Congress chief Rajiv Satav told IANS.

Meghalaya is scheduled to go to the assembly polls in 2013. Ampati is the assembly constituency of Meghalaya Chief Minister Mukul Sangma.