On January 4, Congress president Sitaram Kesri frantically tried to get in touch with V. George, Sonia Gandhi's assistant. But in vain, as George reportedly avoided his telephone calls. A day later, about 50 supporters of a little-known group called the Rajiv Brigade raised anti-Kesri slogans in front of his office at the AICC headquarters. " Sonia lao, Congress bachao, Kesri kursi chhoro (bring in Sonia, save Congress, Kesri quit)," they chanted.