The Hindu : Front Page : Panel to work out Congress strategies: Chennithala

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Wednesday, Mar 08, 2006

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Panel to work out Congress strategies: Chennithala

Special Correspondent

Says a mature decision will be taken on DIC(K) issue

STRATEGIC SESSION: KPCC president Ramesh Chennithala, Maharashtra Chief Minister Vilas Rao Deshmukh, Union Minister for Overseas Indian Affairs Vayalar Ravi and the former KPCC president Thennala Balakrishna Pillai at the KPCC conference in Kochi on Tuesday. — Photo: Vipinchandran

KOCHI: The KPCC plenary session has authorised a four-member committee comprising Congress Working Committee member A. K. Antony, Chief Minister Oommen Chandy, KPCC president Ramesh Chennithala and Union Minister Vayalar Ravi to work out the party's election strategies, including the relation with the DIC(K).

Addressing a press conference at the conclusion of the KPCC's five-day grand conference, Mr. Chennithala said the four-member team would finalise a practical election strategy to be submitted to the High Command.

He said the basic concept that had emerged from the session was that all democratic forces should come together. The leadership had been able to evaluate the sentiments of party workers, especially in relation to the ties with the DIC(K). "We will take a sagacious and mature decision on this," Mr. Chennithala said.

He said the party would start the candidate selection process as soon as the seat-sharing talks with the UDF partners were over. The winning chances of candidates would be the main criteria for their selection.

In reply to a question, he maintained that the session had cleared all ambiguity about his party's stand on the DIC(K) issue. "We are prepared to give all due respect and recognition to all Congressmen who are like-minded and accept the leadership of Sonia Gandhi," he said.

Mr. Chennithala said he fully shared Mr. Chandy's view that a constituent in the UDF should also be willing to accept Ms. Gandhi's leadership.

Earlier in the day, Mr. Antony, while inaugurating the plenary session, urged the leadership to respect the sentiments of party workers and lower rung leaders while selecting candidates.

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