Narora-type camp on the cards

NEW DELHI, MAY 17: Twenty-Five years after the concept was first introduced by Indira Gandhi, the Congress will return to classrooms and thr...

NEW DELHI, MAY 17: Twenty-Five years after the concept was first introduced by Indira Gandhi, the Congress will return to classrooms and thrash out its stand on sundry issues in a 8220;Narora-type8221; camp in Panchmarhi, Madhya Pradesh, in August.

This was announced by party president Sonia Gandhi who believes in a return to the Indira and Rajiv8217;-style of functioning to tone up the ailing party. Sonia has apparently told Chief Minister Digvijay Singh about the necessity of the camp going well for the party.

This was the highlight of the discussions at a two-day meet which ended late last night. The much-hyped task force report, prepared by P A Sangma committee, was passed by the delegates. Sonia took some decisions today according to the report8217;s recommendations. But the important thing was the training camp. The Congress has had only one such camp in its long history when Indira felt the party leadership must 8220;clarify its thoughts8221;. That was in November 1974 and Indira8217;s daughter-in-law is now taking thecurrent leadership through a similar camp.

The August sitting is likely to be spread over four days in the picturesque resort in MP, and over 100 people are slated to attend. The camp has been timed soon after the budget session ends and just before the assembly elections in MP, Rajasthan and Delhi. And since the state elections are the first real big test for Sonia, she is keen to share her mind with some top leaders. But in the extended CWC meeting, Sonia took some small steps which she hopes will add to something big for the party. The first of them was that the Congress will begin a monthly newsletter with the first edition planned for August 15.

Sonia has also ordered that all existing vacancies in the party set-up at the PCC, DCC, and block levels should be filled by June 15. CWC members have been told to meet 8220;at least two panchayat samitis8221; in the areas from where they were elected to the PCC. This is apparently to establish some sort of a regular contact with grass-root workers.

AICC generalsecretaries have been asked to draw up a 8220;mass contact programme8221; which is to be announced by next week. The concluding function of the AICC golden jubilee committee, to celebrate the country8217;s 50th year of Independence, is to be finalised within 15 days. AICC general secretaries have been told to ask PCCs to draw up detailed programmes on 8220;pressing national, local, political, economic, and social issues8221;.