Chintan shivir fate uncertain
The fate of the Congress’ chintan shivir which the party proposed to hold before the coming summer appears uncertain following the announcement of the poll schedule in five state Assemblies by the Election Commission.
The Congress announced it would hold such a brainstorming session at the AICC plenary held at Burari in Delhi in December last. The party officials were planning to hold it during the recess of the Budget Session of Parliament, But it looks unlikely as polling for Assam, Tamil Nadu, Kerala and Puducherry will take place in different phases by April 13. Even the three phases of polling for West Bengal will be held on April 18, 23, 27.
This means the Congress will be busy in the electoral battle till mid-May.
The party is fighting the battle in an alliance with the Trinamul Congress-led front in West Bengal and the DMK-led front in Tamil Nadu. The Sonia Gandhi-led party is leading a coalition in Kerala.
Therefore, if a chintan shivir is held, it cannot criticise the coalition politics. Its attack on the BJP would be of no consequence as the saffron party hardly has any presence in these five states.
The Congress’ observation on coalitions could send out a wrong message to its allies, especially the Mamata Banerjee-led Trinamul Congress which is said to be all set to make history in West Bengal and Dravadian parties in Tamil Nadu.
“Now, it is time for ‘action’ and not ‘chintan’,” felt Congress insiders, suggesting that an agenda for such a brainstorming session has not been finalised.
The Congress Party cannot take up the corruption issue after the 2G, CWG and Adarsh housing scams.
A top Opposition leader said price rise is more important than corruption. “This is our feedback from the election-going states,” he said. As per the earlier indications, the Congress was planning to hold the brainstorming session in Rajasthan.
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