Congress observers to meet Rahul with reports

The observers — senior party leaders from Maharashtra,Gujarat,Madhya Pradesh,Haryana and other states — were appointed in May. Each of them were tasked with visiting about 40 assembly constituencies,where,among other things,they were to locate probable candidates for the 2012 elections.

Party sources said the observers were given a 16-point guideline. The deadline for the final report is March 1,2011. As per the guideline — a copy of which is with The Indian Express — the observers had been asked to keep their work secret. “You should consult all senior leaders of each assembly segment but your report should not be shared with PCC/DCC or other state leaders,” the guideline stated.

The tasks assigned to them include selection of best possible candidates for 2012 assembly elections — picking as many new faces and women candidates as possible; giving a panel of three names in order of priority,reporting on the status of the organisation,suggesting changes in the organisation,involving ticket seekers in revision of electoral rolls,and winning over influential people of the area to the party. The observers were also asked to collect castewise data on voters and get feedback from the in-charges of 10 yatras.

“In our initial visit,we collected preliminary data about each constituency,” said an observer who twice visited the constituencies under him. “We have identified influential people unattached to the party. A preliminary report is also ready on the status of District and Block Congress committees and the frontal organisation.”

The August 11 programme will begin with a meeting between the observers and yatra in-charges with AICC General Secretary in-charge Digvijay Singh. In the afternoon,the leaders are to meet Rahul Gandhi with their preliminary findings.