The Hindu : New Delhi News : Congress in for major changes

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Wednesday, Jan 30, 2008
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Congress in for major changes

Gargi Parsai

‘This will trigger changes in Union Cabinet’

Consequent to the party’s drubbing in Gujarat and Himachal Pradesh
An irresponsible opposition cannot be a responsible government: Singhvi

NEW DELHI: The Congress is in for major changes in the organisation, which are also seen to be linked to a reshuffle in the Union Cabinet. “Party changes will trigger changes in the Union Cabinet,” hinted a senior Congress leader.

After the election defeat in Gujarat and Himachal Pradesh, the Congress is gearing to take on a resurgent BJP. Major changes are expected in the coming days in J&K, Karnataka, Jharkhand, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh and West Bengal.

Speculation is rife on whether the Union Ministers who are asked to take on organisational responsibilities will give up their jobs in the government.

There is much expectation also about the induction of young blood in the government in this last lap before the Lok Sabha polls.

Congress president Sonia Gandhi reconstituted the All-India Congress Committee in September last and set up an innovative group on “Future Challenges.”

She also revamped the election manifesto committee long before the BJP declared itself to be in the “election mode.” The BJP in providing 33 per cent reservation to women in its organisation has only taken a leaf out of the Congress book, senior Congress leaders here said.

AICC spokesman Abhishek Singhvi said the party would soon effect “tailored” and “focussed” changes in terms of individuals and strategies for the coming polls.

“We have deeply analysed not only Gujarat and Himachal Pradesh but have taken an all-India view of everything in the light of the ten Assembly elections coming up this year,” he said.

On Rajnath’s charge

Reacting to BJP president Rajnath Singh’s “lack of cohesion” remarks about the United Progressive Alliance, he said: “The BJP should set its house in order first.”

“Having failed as an opposition party, the BJP has decided to forget its failures and divert attention by attacking the UPA government. Have they introspected about the number of days wasted in Parliament due to their obstructionist attitude”?

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