News In Brief

Hart 'caucuses' challenge Mondale in Puerto Ricophoto: Hart

Supporters of Democratic Presidential contender Gary Hart set up eight ''caucuses'' independent of primary polls Sunday, apparently to prepare a challenge to primary results.

A pro-Hart group calling itself ''United Democrats Committee '84'' said it would hold the so-called caucuses separate from the 1,653 primary polls. The Puerto Rico Hart campaign withdrew from the primary earlier last week, charging it would be ''rigged and unfair'' in favor of the Walter Mondale candidacy, because the island's pro-statehood New Progressive Party has mobilized party forces for Mondale.

The Democratic party in Puerto Rico, led by Mondale supporters, immediately denounced the separate caucuses as ''illegal'' and a violation of Democratic party rules.