Ministry not enough, Cong plans two minority super panels

In an effort to reach out further to minorities, the Congress high command is in the process of setting up two high-power committees. The party considers the new Ministry for Minority Affairs a success in the government and the proposed committees will replicate that experiment at the organisational level. Both the committees are awaiting the formal approval of Congress president Sonia Gandhi.

Ever since it returned to power leading the UPA, Congress is trying to win back the minorities, particularly the Muslims who had deserted the party, through various measures, including the appointment of a committee of the Prime Minister that is currently studying the social and educational status of Muslims. The new initiatives are part of these efforts.

The mandate of the first committee is to formulate Congress’ position regarding minority issues in a “sensitive and timely” manner, said party sources. This committee will have seniors such as A R Antulay, Ahmad Patel and Gulam Nabi Azad as members. There will be a Christian representative in Margaret Alva and also a Sikh MP.

The second will be a “working” committee to oversee the implementation of promises made to the communities by the Congress chief and PM.