Sonia Gandhi gets back in action after leadership turmoil at CWC meet

NEW DELHI: Rallying seven chief ministers on the issue of GST and NEET, forming a high-level committee to look into central ordinances and kickstarting party's election plan for Bihar—Congress chief Sonia Gandhi has sprung into action. She is taking organisational and strategy calls just two days after the leadership turmoil which unraveled itself at a key Congress Working Committee (CWC) meet earlier this week.

The developments, all of which happened just two days after the CWC meet, are significant. They come not just against the backdrop of Gandhi’s decision to continue in the top post till her successor is chosen, senior leaders feel this points out to her ‘taking charge’ of party related issues. They add that more such organisational decisions could take place in coming days.

A key declaration on Wednesday was the development of a five-part advisory group to talk about and plan the gathering's stand on key statutes proclaimed by the legislature. The panel contains previous Union pastors P Chidambaram and Jairam Ramesh, previous Madhya Pradesh boss clergyman Digvijaya Singh, other than administrators Amar Singh and Gaurav Gogoi. Ramesh is additionally the convenor of the board.

The setting up of the committee comes less than three weeks ahead of the expected monsoon session of Parliament. It gains significance 

since one of the first ordinances it could take up is on agricultural market reforms which pitches for ‘One nation, one agriculture market’. The Congress, particularly its Punjab unit, has been vocal in its criticism of the ordinance which the government will try to get passed during the monsoon session.

“Congress president’s choice of members in the committee is interesting because all of them are parliamentarians which include former union ministers who can help in party’s outreach with other opposition



leaders for a joint strategy over ordinances like these. We are expecting that one or two more committees, particularly for Parliament related issues, could be formed soon," a senior party leader said requesting anonymity.

The announcement of the committee came just hours after Gandhi chaired a meeting of seven chief ministers from opposition ruled states including West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee, Maharashtra chief minister Uddhav Thackeray, Jharkhand chief minister 

Hemant Soren alongwith those from Congress ruled states. All the opposition leaders who joined the meeting on Wednesday had highlighted the need to have greater coordination between opposition parties.

Gandhi’s chairing of the meeting and organization related announcement came days after a section of party’s senior leaders shot off a letter to her underlining the need for systemic overhaul of the Congress including a full time and effective leadership. In the CWC meeting on Monday, Gandhi had expressed the wish to be relieved of her duties as interim chief, but later agreed to stay on till the formal process of choosing her successor takes place.

The leadership debate in Congress has come just months ahead of Bihar elections where it is part of the Grand Alliance headed by Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD). On Wednesday, the party also announced a screening committee for candidate selection for Bihar which 

included Avinash Pande, former incharge of Rajasthan, who was removed from the post days after the internal political crisis in that state ended.

“All eyes are now on the possible announcement of a committee to assist Gandhi in looking at the challenges posed in the meeting. The idea was discussed in the CWC meeting and is expected to be announced soon," another party leader, who was part of Monday’s CWC meeting, added.