Kesri makes peace with Sonia

“Now that she has entered active politics and is campaigning for the party, I want her to be in the CWC. It is time that she involves herself in important deliberations and becomes a part of decisions,” Kesri said. Apparently, Kesri is keen to chart a precise and formal route to the top for Sonia, provided she agrees.

The first step was taken by the Congress today when it announced Sonia’s programme in the first phase of her campaign. As reported in these columns on Monday, she will begin from Sriperumbudur.

After the announcement, Kesri called on Sonia Gandhi this evening and apprised her of the latest position in the party on the preparations for the coming elections. Kesri expressed happiness that Sonia would launch her election campaign from Sriperumpudur on January eleven. According to Congress sources, Sonia and Kesri exchanged views on the issues to be taken up during the campaign in their 45-minutes long meeting. Later on, senior party leaders, Sharad Pawar and K Karunakaran met Sonia along with other prominent leaders. UPCC president N D Tiwari also called on her.

Incidentally, the PCC had recently passed a resolution requesting her and daughter Priyanaka to contest from Amethi and Rae Bareli Lok Sabha seats respectively. Though there is speculation that Priyanka might accompany Sonia while campaigning, it has not been confirmed by the AICC. Kesri, however, is sure not to accompanying Sonia with the party preferring to use both at the same time in different parts of the country.