On the sidelines

The Congress President hinted at the possibility of another think tank.

New think tank to help Rahul?

As the Group to Look into Future Challenges,set up by Sonia Gandhi in 2007 to assist Rahul Gandhi,remains on paper,the Congress President hinted at the possibility of another think tank. 8220;Our party must engage with civil society and with professional experts from different disciplines in a regular and systematic manner. I do think it is now necessary to create a professional party think tank to be run on institutional lines,8221; she said. The matter will be taken up at a conclave the party will hold in the coming months to refresh its perspective on crucial national issues.

Bihar workers target Mukul Wasnik

As top Congress leaders took high moral ground on the issue of corruption,they had some embarrassing moments as some party delegates from Bihar shouted slogans: 8220;Mukul Wasnik chor hai8230;use dais se hatao.8221; They alleged corruption in the distribution of party tickets in the Bihar Assembly elections. Wasnik was AICC general secretary in charge of Bihar. It took Seva Dal workers over 15 minutes to control the situation and evict the sloganeers. Prime Minister Manmohan Singh silently watched the commotion even as many senior ministers,including Home Minister P Chidambaram,walked closer to the scene to find out the reason.

Demand for a younger team

On a day when the Congress president8217;s tenure was increased from three to five years,there were demands from senior party leaders to put in place a younger team. 8220;Now the time has come. Rajiv Gandhi had made me and Ahmed Patel state Congress Presidents when we were 36-37 years old. Now,our expiry date is nearing. I am confident Rahul Gandhi will make his own team,8221; said party general secretary Digvijaya Singh.

Avoid vulgar display of wealth: Sonia

Sonia Gandhi asked partymen to avoid 8220;vulgar display of wealth and waste8221; and said Congressmen holding office must not allow any doubt about their probity and integrity. It ill becomes representatives of a party claiming to speak for the poor to indulge in greed,extravagance and luxury,she said. 8220;This does not mean that we stop celebrating marriage and other things. All this can be celebrated in a dignified and simpler manner. Why can8217;t we set an example?8230;in a country where poverty is still widespread,let us at least have the moral sensibility to avoid vulgar displays of wealth and waste,8221; she said.

Ministers get earful from Sonia,Rahul

Taking exception to complaints from party workers about central ministers not paying heed to them,Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi pulled up the ministers,asking them to spare time for them. They make a valid point. Such neglect is demoralising for our workers who function in a hostile environment. Central Ministers must engage with the local Congress leadership and workers particularly during their visits, said Sonia. Rahul said he also got similar complaints. Wherever I go,I get this complaint. I know you need time to run the Ministry,but please give some time to workers also.