Cong downplays demand for Common Minimum Programme

Congress said a small group will be constituted to consider the common points of the manifestos of the parties in the UPA alliance.

Congress,evasive so far on the issue of a Common Minimum Programme (CMP) for the UPA,said on Wednesday that a small group will be constituted in the ruling alliance to chart the new government’s agenda.

“A small group will be formed that will decide what are the issues in the manifestos of other parties which could be included,” AICC general secretary Janardan Dwivedi told reporters after the first meeting of the 11-party alliance.

UPA sources said the alliance partners have been asked to give their suggestions to senior Congress leader Pranab Mukherjee apparently to formulate a joint document.

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Dwivedi steered clear of a question whether Trinamool Congress chief Mamata Banerjee raised the issue of a CMP at the meeting taking the plea that he would not say what individual leaders told the meeting.

“There was a consensus…This is not the first time,the UPA government is being formed,” Dwivedi merely said.

The UPA meeting was presided by Congress Preisdent Sonia Gandhi,who was re-elected Chairperson of the alliance.

Congress had so far remained evasive on the CMP for the new government,which will assume office on Friday. The caution could possibly stem from the fact that the Left parties,friends turned foes of the party,were associated with the move last time.