CMP’s top priority, so govt rushes in to help Sonia-led panel

The Congress may have hastened to clarify that no official files will be shown to party president Sonia Gandhi while she oversees the UPA&#1...

The Congress may have hastened to clarify that no official files will be shown to party president Sonia Gandhi while she oversees the UPA’s Common Minimum Programme but the government has no hesitation in placing its machinery at the programme’s disposal.

To monitor the CMP, a full-fledged National Advisory Council is being finalised, supported by a secretariat of government officials. According to an official order, the expenditure for running the Council will also be met by the government.

Funds will be provided for it in the Budget and channelled through the Prime Minister’s Office.

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Sonia Gandhi, who will chair the NAC, may not even have to walk far from her official residence at 10, Janpath, to reach the Council headquarters. Two possible venues have been identified for its offices: 9, Janpath and Vigyan Bhawan.

The flurry of activity comes on the eve of a meeting of the coordination committee.

The Council will have an officer of the rank of secretary to the government, one or two joint secretaries and two under-secretaries.

The Council will comprise 20 members who will be picked — Manmohan Singh and Sonia Gandhi will be meeting soon to decide — from a list of some 60 politicians from the 14 parties which make the ruling alliance.

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