Rahul to lead opposition bandwagon

New Delhi: Congress is in for a grand alliance of like-minded parties in the coming Loka Sabha polls, with Rahul Gandhi leading the congress party.

The meeting of the newly constituted congress Working Committee (CWC) held in Delhi authorised party president Rahul Gandhi to forge possible pre-poll and post-poll working alliance at national and state levels. Sonia Gandhi said the party was serious about forming the grand alliance and everybody would be with Rahul. People have to be rescued from a "dangerous regime" that is "compromising with India’s democracy” she said. The meeting discussed a broad road map for the crucial assembly elections in states including Kerala.

The CWC’s move gets momentum as Prime Minister Modi and BJP are tapping into the differences among opposition parties and also attempting to portray congress as not dependable for alliance.

Congress has formed a special committee to expand the alliance. Efforts in this regard were already underway. However, the party has yet to consider the difficult tough task of seat sharing, part of the strengthening the alliance.

CWC heard opinions in favour of continuing similar strategies applied in Karnataka to keep BJP off power via adjustments with parties baring BJP. This is applicable in states including West Bengal, UP and Bihar. Members including Ramesh Chennithala and Sachin Piolot opinioned that while strategic alliances were being formed both Congress and Rahul Gandhi should be its focal point. Rahul should be projected as the prime ministerial candidate.

This is the first meeting of the newly constituted fifty-member CWC. The extended CWC meeting had 239 attendees including PCC members. Leaders who represented Kerala included AK Antony, Oommen Chandy, P C Chacko, Ramesh Chennithala and MM Hassan.