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Sonia plans brainstorming session

By Javid M. Ansari

SRINAGAR MAY 31. The Congress president, Sonia Gandhi, plans to convene a Pachmarhi-type brainstorming, self-introspection conclave before the next round of Assembly elections.

The Congress leadership which discussed the strategy for elections at a special session at the Chief Ministers conclave here, feels that the next phase of Assembly elections will shape the future politics at the national level and, hence, winning them is key to power at the Centre. As conventions like this, or that of block presidents, or even the AICC session, do not allow the leaders to exclusively focus on election strategy, a Pachmarhi-type conclave is being thought of.

Party sources say the session will be held in July, probably in Maharashtra. A special emphasis will be on Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan and Delhi. The socio-political challenges being faced by the nation in the context of the rise of communal forces and economic liberalisation will also be discussed.

The party thinks that if the BJP is defeated in these States, it will give a "death blow" to the "shaky NDA ruling combine". It thinks that the performance of its State Governments is enough to help retain power but does not want to take chances as the BJP is "capable of creating new kinds of crises" at election time. Apart from development and good governance, the need for effective political management appears to have driven the Congress leadership to think in terms of a brainstorming session. Ms. Gandhi is also concerned about the States which are considered to "weak spots" and special focus will be given to their problems. Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, Tamil Nadu and West Bengal fall in this category. Other aspects of politics such as national security, the reservation issue, disinvestments and employment generation may also be discussed.

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