This Article is From May 20, 2009

Sonia Gandhi to MPs: Party first

Advertisement
New Delhi:

Sonia Gandhi met her MPs on Tuesday, she had one simple message for them -- don't hanker after power or government posts, focus on party first.

And it seems Rahul Gandhi could be listening and could set and example to the others.

It was all smiles and bouquets at Tuesday's crowded meeting of Congress MPs the largest number of Lok Sabha MPs the party has had since 1984.

Five years ago it was a very different scene when Sonia Gandhi announced her dramatic renunciation of the prime minister's post, today an established hierarchy with the man of the moment for the party Rahul Gandhi a silent spectator.

Sources have told NDTV that Rahul Gandhi has made up his mind not to join the Cabinet, his priority is the organisation, a message echoed by his mother in her speech to MPs many of them wannabe ministers.

"As party members whether occupying government office or not, whether having a position in the organisation or not, we have a duty to remain disciplined and united, putting party before self," said Sonia Gandhi, president, Congress.

Party first for mother and son but for Manmohan Singh it's governance in his new term liberated from the Left and troublesome allies.

He pushed for the need of reforms, inclusive growth and handling the Indian impact of the global financial crunch. Adding that he will ask every minister to set a time bound target for achieving the promises made.

"The nature of the youth is to be impatient they will not tolerate business as usual," said Manmohan Singh, Prime Minister.

What does it say?

Advertisement