Cong top brass meet to discuss strategy for Lok Sabha polls

With an attempt to chalk out a strategy for the next Lok Sabha polls, the Congress top brass on Friday huddled in Surajkund to deliberate on political and economic issues at a time when the party and the government are facing tough challenges.

As the UPA-II witnessed a series of scams and one of its key allies Trinamool Congress walked out of the alliance, the Congress leadership including Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and party chief Sonia Gandhi will decide the future course of action.

The meet attended by top central ministers and Congress Working Committee members will also see the party reviewing the extent of implementation of the promises made in its manifesto for the 2009 Lok Sabha elections.

Rahul Gandhi, who is set to assume a "larger role" in the organisation, is attending the session amid indications that the party reshuffle, which is due, would have the imprint of the young leader.

The exercise has come amid concerns within the party over "limitations" in implementing party's programmes and agenda in a coalition government. The Prime Minister had time and again talked about coalition compulsions in governance.

Ahead of the meeting, Finance Minister P Chidambaram had said that the achievements of the government in the last three years and nine months are "quite impressive".

However, party general secretary Janardan Dwivedi has conceded that "there are some limitations in a coalition government."

Sonia Gandhi will set the tone for the discussion on current political situation in the meeting after which the Prime Minister will brief leaders on the economic challenges and the measures initiated by the government.

Chidambaram will initiate the debate on economic issues after the Prime Minister's speech covering mainly economy but not excluding other subjects.

The issue of alliances could figure at the "dialogue meeting" at Surajkund being held for the first time since the exit of Trinamool Congress from UPA-II and growing speculation

... contd.

ALSO READ

Pawar to seek special package for state

Verdict in Dec 16 rape case expected by month-end: Neeraj Kumar

China incursion: Both sides withdraw troops from Daulat Beg Oldi sector

Sonia Gandhi consults A K Antony on Pawan Bansal issue