Cong may dump khadi and cap

On the question of liquor, however, the party constitution champions abstinence but the task force has preferred silence. Doing away with it, sources said, would send a 8220;negative signal8221; and adhering to it isn8217;t8220;feasible8221;.

Khadi isn8217;t the only thing on its way out. If Sonia Gandhi accepts the task force8217;s recommendations, the durrhies and the pillows on the dais meant for party VIPs 8212; something that has been a regular feature in almost all the Congress sessions till now 8212; may also be among the first casualties of the 8220;corporate culture8221; gradually sneaking into the party.

A senior AICC functionary confirmed that the party8217;s national headquarters on 24 Akbar Road will have cubicles instead of full-fledged chambers for staff and office-bearers where 8220;one is expected to come and work.8221; The Youth Congress office on 5 Raisina Road will also get a new corporate look to its offices.

As for Sonia, she is likely to function from the more plush, the multi-crore Jawahar Bhawan Building on Rajendra Prasad Road. A couple of General Secretaries are also likely to move along with her but it won8217;t serve as the party8217;s headquarters.