Cong gears up to reap political gains

Sternly warning party leaders not to imitate Sonia Gandhi, the Congress is now attempting to collect political dividends from her twin resignations, both from the Lok Sabha and as chairperson of the National Advisory Council.

Sternly warning party leaders not to imitate Sonia Gandhi, the Congress is now attempting to collect political dividends from her twin resignations, both from the Lok Sabha and as chairperson of the National Advisory Council NAC.

As the spectacle created by demonstrating party workers outside 10, Janpath gradually waned, the Congress president8217;s managers are putting the final touches to her visit to her constituency on Monday, a two-day trip on which both her children, Rahul and Priyanka, are expected to accompany her.

Party workers in the five poll-bound states have been instructed to make Sonia8217;s resignation a poll issue, even as party managers reveled in the 8220;national mood8221; created by Sonia8217;s resignation. 8220;It has created an impact across the country. Though the resignation was not for political benefit, it is bound to help the party,8221; senior leader Motilal Vora said. 8220;The BJP has completely lost its moorings and can8217;t even formulate a coherent response to the situation,8221; said party spokesperson Rajeev Shukla.

Senior leaders were annoyed about Congressmen trying to emulate Sonia by resigning from posts without any complaint against them. Mumbai Congress MP Gurudas Kamat was snubbed for trying to make a show of his desire to follow his leader. 8220;We are not in favour of competitive resignations,8221; spokesperson Abhishek Singhvi said.

Party sources said Sonia gave Karan Singh8217;s resignation a nod because a complaint did exist against him. 8220;Those who have complaints against their names can resign if they so desire, though there is no directive to this effect. However, nobody needs to volunteer martyrdom,8221; one said. This is likely to make things difficult for Union minister Subbirami Reddy. The TDP complaint on profits of offices listed three from the Congress8212;Sonia, Karan Singh and Reddy. Two already having resigned, Reddy may have to follow suit.

Leaders also hinted at introspection within the party and the government. Singhvi was at pains to refute the 8220;false assumptions8221; on which the Opposition mounted a campaign against Sonia, but leaders privately acknowledge a mishandling of the situation. 8220;The ordinance was not meant exclusively for Sonia Gandhi. People from other parties would have benefited, but the perception turned against us,8221; a leader pointed out.

Meanwhile, the government is getting its act together to resolve the offices of profit issue. As the core committee of the PM, the Congress president, Political Secretary Ahmad Patel, Pranab Mukherje, Shivraj Patil and H R Bharadwaj began its weekly meeting on Friday evening, two things were clear8212;Parliament will convene again in the second week of May, and the ordinance route is closed in favour of a comprehensive legislation.