Cong goes all out for FDI rally

The Delhi unit of the Congress has put all hands on deck — from a high-level monitoring committee to block-level observers — for the November 4 party rally on FDI in retail in which Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and UPA Chairperson Sonia Gandhi are expected to speak.

Party leaders have been issued strict instructions to make the rally a success. All party members must attend it, the instructions stated.

Sources said the Congress announced on October 1 about "the massive rally" on November 4 to blunt the opposition to FDI by the BJP and former UPA ally Mamata Banerjee. Apart from the Prime Minister and Sonia Gandhi, a battery of Congress leaders will address the crowd.

There is said to be a standing order to all MPs, MLAs, municipal councillors and party leaders to ensure a large turnout.

Delhi Pradesh Congress Committee president J P Aggarwal earlier this month held a meeting at the party headquarters in bid to ramp up preparation for the rally.

"This should and will be a historic rally in support of FDI," Aggarwal told district and block Congress committee presidents and the PCC office-bearers.

AICC General Secretary Oscar Fernandez also attended the meeting. He exhorted the party's rank and file to hold "street-corner meetings" and morning congregations to spread awareness about FDI in the retail sector.

Since then, PCC office-bearers have been told to get "actively involved" in the process.

A monitoring system has been put in place. "All PCC members should be in touch with the people and tell them about the benefits of FDI," Aggarwal said.

He said an observer had been deputed in each district and block to supervise the preparation. A monitoring committee has been formed to look at the work at at the headquarters. "The committee is headed by a senior leader. It will supervise activities related to the rally," Aggarwal said.

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