This Article is From Nov 15, 2012

Congress brainstorming session


Nov 09, 2012 22:22 (IST)


The Congress has finished its day long introspection meeting in Surajkund outside Delhi with a call for better coordination between the party and the government. But there are clear divisions on the reforms that the PM is pushing, with some calling for an increased cap on LPG subsidies. There was also no clear demand for Rahul Gandhi to formally be elevated to the number 2 position. Speaking to her party leaders earlier today, Sonia Gandhi accused the opposition of trying to grab power at any cost and called for an aggressive response to what she described as false propaganda.
Nov 09, 2012 20:37 (IST)
At Congress meet, Sonia backs reforms, party worried about LPG policy
On the outskirts of Delhi, Congress president Sonia Gandhi firmly called her party to order today as it gears up for the general elections, where it will ask voters for a third consecutive shot at government.
Nov 09, 2012 20:00 (IST)
  • At the meet, Shakeel Ahmed, the political advisor to Sonia Gandhi said, that while many ministers meet workers, many don't: Sources
  • Congress General Secretary Rahul Gandhi said that the governments need to take decisions quickly: Sources
  • Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kamal Nath said there is need to strengthen the organisation since MPs have to win elections: Sources
Nov 09, 2012 18:47 (IST)
Addressing a press conference from the party headquarters in New Delhi this evening, Congress general secretary Janardhan Dwivedi spoke about the details at the party's samvad baithak held earlier today. Here are the highlights:

  • The PM spoke on economic challenges.
  • The PM said the most important challenge was economic growth.
  • The PM expressed satisfaction at what the government had achieved in the past eight years, but was worried about fiscal deficit and rising subsidy bill.
  • He admitted inflation posed a big challenge. Stressed on investment but also said any development should not affect the environment.
  • Finance Minister P Chidambaram spoke after the PM. He mentioned how the global economy has witnessed a severe downturn.
  • Mr Chidambaram said slowdown in growth is attributable to global economic situation, high commodity prices and decline investment.
Sonia's closing remarks:
  • We have had a productive discussion for six hours.
  • The party-government interface has to be kept ahead in the weeks and months ahead.
  • We are planning a chintan shivir that has been long overdue.
  • We have to do much more to derive maximum political benefit from our schemes.
  • The central government has to be more sensitive to our state units especially in opposition run states.
  • Both the government and party must work to ensure we secure a renewed mandate.
Nov 09, 2012 18:34 (IST)

At the Samvaad Baithak, Digvijaya Singh wanted an increase LPG subsidy cap from 6 to 12. He also said the party must swiftly react to the allegations levelled against them.

Nov 09, 2012 18:29 (IST)
NDTV sources say

The session, that ended early evening, saw some spirited interventions, particularly by defence minister A K Antony and environment minister Jayanthi Natarajan. Mr Antony spoke against the reforms and liberalisation policy that got a boost recently. He reminded the party's top leadership that the Congress "was the party of the aam admi and their interests must always be protected". Ms Natarajan warned that economic growth and environmental concerns needed to be balanced.

Rahul Gandhi took Mr Antony's remarks as an example to make the larger pro-reforms point. He said that the Congress must adapt to new systems and "paradigm shifts" and accept them.

He also made a reference to the "new transparency revolution", saying that instead of treating it as  hindrance, the Congress should showcase it as its "sincerity in our work". He also spoke of how the youth were taking charge, though most of his own youth brigade present at the meet didn't speak.

Nov 09, 2012 18:23 (IST)

PTI reports

With an eye on the 2014 Lok Sabha elections, the Congress top brass today strongly favoured a 'please all' budget for 2013-14 replete with schemes for all sections of the society.

The "dialogue meeting" where party chief Sonia Gandhi asked partymen to gear up for the next Lok Sabha polls saw leaders underlining the need to come out with such a budget and programmes that would give maximum returns in minimum possible time.

Party sources said a senior leader said that the AICC should immediately set up a five-member committee to receive suggestions on such programmes and schemes that should be incorporated in the Union Budget for the next year.

Nov 09, 2012 18:20 (IST)
Watch this space for the Congress press conference scheduled to begin at 6:30 pm
Nov 09, 2012 16:37 (IST)


The session has ended. On the way back, Congress President Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi sat right in the front in the second bus. However a long posse of cars was seen leaving the venue just before the buses.
Nov 09, 2012 15:37 (IST)
In Pics: The Congress brainstorming session
With an attempt to chalk out a strategy for the next Lok Sabha polls, the Congress top brass today huddled to deliberate on political and
economic issues at a time when the party and the government
are facing tough challenges.

Nov 09, 2012 15:08 (IST)

NDTV's Sunetra Choudhury reports - Three  choppers are waiting, so Sonia Gandhi and Rahul may not take the Volvo back after the meeting...

Nov 09, 2012 13:15 (IST)
News Just In:
PM invites UPA allies for dinner on Sunday (November 11)

And there are reports that he has called Mulayam, Akhilesh Yadav for dinner tonight...
Nov 09, 2012 13:09 (IST)
Congress' top 5 aam admi measures
from NDTV's Sunetra Choudhury

VOLVO BUSES
At no 5, they have the highest levels of security in the country but Sonia and Rahul gandhi are very keen to show off their aam aadmi credentials so close to the elections. so their ride this morning with the rest of the congress possee was this volvo and reports suggest they sat at the front of the bus

OF METROs and TRAINs
The Volvo isn't the first initiative. General Secretary Rahul Gandhi took everyone by surprise when he took the local train during a visit to Mumbai, or when he jumped on the metro to a conclave in Rohini. He's also taken the popular Shatabdi Express to Punjab.

LOSE THE TITLES
At no.3, the congress is a grand old party so many of their leaders have titles like Kunwar and Raja.  Not very aam aadmi,  so top boss Sonia Gandhi has asked them to lose the titles but they seem to keep sneaking into various addresses especially at rallies...

RED BEACON
At no 2, while the party leadership was trying to connect with masses, some party MPs were trying to get themselves lal battis. Not done, said Sonia Gandhi and struck it down with privileges committee chief PC Chacko.

CATTLE CLASS
At no 1, when the going gets tough the tough get going- or not. When the economy was in crisis, the UPA government ordered a cut on foreign trips and business class flying. But there was major revolt - many of them said- no to economy. Gestures are fine- but obviously, netas feel there's a limit.

Nov 09, 2012 12:50 (IST)
Party and govt's differences must be resolved: Sonia Gandhi
At a meeting of about 70 senior Congress leaders, party president Sonia Gandhi is outlining the Congress strategy for the next elections when the party will ask voters for a third consecutive term in power.
Nov 09, 2012 12:25 (IST)
Sonia Gandhi's opening remarks
  • There is need for stronger coordination between party and government
  • Party and government differ on many issues. Discussions do happen between the two, but only when really big decisions need to be taken
  • Sometimes party is unhappy with decisions taken by the government. Both views have to be balanced.
  • Ministers should ensure that they listen to the voice of the party worker carefully and keep their points of view in mind (when taking decisions).
  • Ministers should visit state units, meet workers there regularly.
  • The world economy has had an impact on India. Dr Manmohan Singh has to a large extent guided us through this difficult period in which many countries far more equipped than us have floundered.
  • In view of this economic situation, our government has taken some tough decisions. It is our job to tell the people of the country very clearly (saaf saaf) why these decisions were taken.
  • Our government in the last eight years has had several achievements.We can be proud of our commitment to the aam aadmi.
  • We have taken several historic steps to assist all sections of society, specially the weaker segments.
  • Though we have challenges ahead, our incomparable programmes and new laws/acts have changed the image of India.
  • The opposition has attacked our programmes and policies of false basis and spread rumours about them. We will strongly reply to these rumours and allegations.
  • Our detractors want to grab power at any cost, notwithstanding that their greed would weaken democracy and secular values.
  • Those in the government should strive hard to fulfill unfulfilled promises in the 2009 manifesto.

Nov 09, 2012 12:03 (IST)

Sources tell NDTV, except the top Cong leadership (the Gandhis and the PM, etc), all others delegates  asked  to deposit their phones

Hotel Raj Hans, where the meeting is taking place, is the same place where the BJP held their national executive a few months ago.


Nov 09, 2012 11:44 (IST)
All mobiles of Congress leaders are switched off and reporters have been stopped 200 metres from the venue, says NDTV's Sunil Prabhu.
Nov 09, 2012 10:17 (IST)

Rahul Gandhi seen here next to Home Minister Sushil Kumar Shinde and leader Janardhan Dwivedi.

Nov 09, 2012 10:08 (IST)


The day-long meeting has begun in Surajkund. The day-long "dialogue session" is likely to chalk out the strategy ahead. It may also take a view on the issue of alliances in different states.
Nov 09, 2012 09:42 (IST)
The Congress delegation in three buses left the head office around 8.30 am and reached Surajkund, the venue of the session around 9am.
Nov 09, 2012 08:47 (IST)


Congress President Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi were also amongst those who arrived at the headquarters this morning. They also got into a waiting bus (and not their private cars) to head off to Surajkund.
Nov 09, 2012 08:45 (IST)


Around 8am, top leaders began congregating at the Congress headquarters to leave for their brainstorming session. Seen here are Finance Minister P Chidambaram and GHulama Nabi Azad and Ajay Maken.
Nov 09, 2012 08:01 (IST)


Congress leaders are expected to gather at the Congress office and head off together in buses to Surajkund around 9 am. Seen here are the buses that will take them all to the venue in Surajkund.
Nov 09, 2012 01:02 (IST)
The session will discuss three topics - present political situation, economic challenges and status of implementation of 2009 party manifesto. Congress president Sonia Gandhi will start off the proceedings with her opening remarks, meant to be an assessment of the current political situation. A debate on the political situation will soon follow.
Nov 09, 2012 00:58 (IST)
70 leaders, including 23 Cabinet ministers, 12 Ministers of State (independent charge), 19 members of Congress Working Committee and 16 permanent invitees to the Congress Working Committee will be attending the session.
Nov 09, 2012 00:55 (IST)
The Congress ministers have been instructed to report at the party headquarters at 24, Akbar Road sharp by 8:15 am.
Nov 09, 2012 00:51 (IST)
In an apparent move to give a signal of austerity to the aam admi all central ministers and top leaders of Congress, except Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and party chief Sonia Gandhi, will travel to Surajkund, the venue of the 'Samvad Baithak', in buses.

Also Read

.