Finally, the Congress has failed in propaganda. The party’s mouthpiece Sandesh has rarely managed to set the political agenda as the Organiser or the People’s Democracy do often. Stung by the flurry of literature against the Congress in the wake of the nuclear debate, the party has set up last month — but not announced — a committee of four for publicity and literature. Digvijay Singh, Mukul Wasnik, Nirmal Khatri and Mohan Prakash have produced one booklet on the nuclear deal and another one is forthcoming.

The Congress repeatedly says it is ready for an election anytime. However, unless these issues relating to the organisation are addressed decisively, Sonia Gandhi, after the next elections, could well end up delivering a speech only marginally amended from the ones quoted above.