Congress Chintan Shivir Sidelights: Leaders’ mobiles, PAs barred from venue

Media persons were not allowed to enter the venue and cover Sonia Gandhi's inaugural address. A make-shift media enclave has been set up some distance away from the venue, where Gandhi's address was beamed live.

Congress interim President Sonia Gandhi with Congress leader Rahul Gandhi and others during the party's 'Nav Sankalp Chintan Shivir', in Udaipur. (PTI Photo)

At the Congress Working Committee (CWC) meeting last week, the text of Congress president Sonia Gandhi’s speech released by the party omitted something which she had said. It was about Gandhi telling the CWC members that whatever is discussed and whatever she says often find its way to the media. In the past too, the Congress was often taken by surprise when discussions taking place at the CWC had reached the media in real time. To check it, the party has asked all its leaders at the Chintan Shivir to keep their mobile phones away while holding group discussions on the six selected topics. These leaders were provided with lockers and keys to deposit their phones.

Not just that. The personal assistants (PAs) of all the leaders were also asked to leave Taj Aravali, where the three-day Shivir is taking place. The conclave’s venue is also out of bounds for the reporters – even photographers as well. So media persons were not allowed to enter the venue and cover the Congress president’s inaugural address. A make-shift media enclave has been set up some distance away from the venue, where Gandhi’s address was beamed live.

G-23 faces seated next to Sonia, Rahul

Although not intentional, the seating arrangements at the Shivir’s inaugural session evoked much interest. While the first row was reserved for the CWC members, there were no name plates. And it so happened that CWC members, Anand Sharma and Ghulam Nabi Azad, the key leaders of the dissident Group of 23 or G-23, were seated next to Sonia and Rahul Gandhi. While the first row of 24 seats was reserved for the CWC members, Madhya Pradesh Congress chief Kamal Nath and Haryana Congress Legislature Party leader Bhupinder Singh Hooda managed to find a place there, as did Madhusudan Mistry, the head of the Congress’s election authority.

Gandhis join political, economic brainstorming

Gandhis joined the group discussions following the Shivir’s inaugural session. Significantly, Sonia Gandhi, who joined the group discussing the political issues did not sit at the head table, leaving it for the members of the Mallikarjun Kharge-headed group to occupy. The members of the group include Ghulam Nabi Azad, Ashok Chavan, N Uttam Kumar Reddy, Shashi Tharoor, Gaurav Gogoi, Saptagiri Sankar Ulaka, Pawan Khera and Ragini Nayak. Priyanka Gandhi Vadra too joined its deliberations. Rahul Gandhi joined the group discussing the economic issues. Shivir’s 430 delegates have been divided into six groups to brainstorm on six issues – political, economic, organisational, social justice, youth and empowerment and farmers and agriculture.

Truce called between warring Shivakumar, Patil

Days after trading fireworks, Karnataka Congress president D K Shivakumar and the party’s campaign committee chief M B Patil seemed to have agreed on a truce. Shivakumar’s recent comment suggesting that the BJP’s state higher education minister C N Ashwath Narayan might have met Patil to seek “protection” from corruption allegations against him had triggered a spat

between their camps. Refuting any such meeting, Patil, the Babaleshwar MLA, had taken umbrage at the state party chief’s barb, saying he will raise the matter at the party forum. However, Shivakumar and Patil met at the Chintan Shivir Friday, where Leader of Opposition and ex-chief minister Siddaramaiah reportedly brokered peace between them. Later, Shivakumar also tweeted a picture of them together.

Manoj C.G

Manoj C G currently serves as the Chief of National Political Bureau at The Indian Express. A veteran journalist with a career spanning nearly two decades, he plays a pivotal role in shaping the publication's coverage of India's political landscape. Experience & Career: Manoj has built a robust career in political journalism, marked by a transition from wire service reporting to in-depth newspaper analysis. The Indian Express (2008 – Present): He joined the organization in 2008 and has risen to lead the National Political Bureau, overseeing key political coverage. Press Trust of India (PTI): Prior to his tenure at The Indian Express, Manoj worked with India’s premier news agency, PTI, honing his skills in breaking news and accurate reporting. Expertise & Focus Areas: As a seasoned political observer, Manoj focuses on the nuances of governance and party dynamics. National Politics: extensive reporting on the central government, parliamentary affairs, and national elections. Political Strategy: Deep analysis of party structures, coalition politics, and the shifting ideologies within the Indian political spectrum. Bureau Leadership: directing a team of reporters to cover the most critical developments in the nation's capital. Authoritativeness & Trust: Manoj’s authoritativeness is grounded in his nearly 20 years of field experience and his leadership role at a legacy newspaper. His long-standing association with The Indian Express underscores a reputation for consistency, editorial integrity, and rigorous reporting standards required of a Bureau Chief. Find all stories by Manoj C G here. ... Read More