PCC chiefs to shortlist allies, issues

At a recent meeting of presidents of the Pradesh Congress Committees across the country, the party’s Election Strategy and Planning Committee has asked the PCC chiefs to report on the advisability of having alliances with various political parties in each state. The party has also asked its state units to identify ‘‘any political group willing to join hands with Congress and their profile.’’

In a form that was distributed to the PCC chiefs, the party leaders have been asked to answer 24 questions which include an exhaustive account on the state of the party.

The completed forms are expected by July, after which the party plans to hold a brain-storming session to finalise the strategy for the Parliamentary elections. The state chiefs have been asked to list the national issues that have an impact on the elections and national events that could ‘‘influence the state.’’

Says party general secretary in charge of Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan, Ambika Soni: ‘‘The state leadership of the party will inform the AICC about other secular parties in the state and the possibility of an alliance. We would also then get a feedback from the states on the advisability on these alliances locally. For instance, in Punjab we had an alliance with the CPI and not CPI (M)’’.

Each state unite has been asked to identify the issues which it feels would affect it in the polls. ‘‘We are going to see what issues come up ahead of the elections,’’ Soni said.