Chidambaram addresses Maharashtra Congress poll workshop

Finance Minister P Chidambaram today dwelt on the benefits of the UPA Government's direct cash transfer scheme at an election workshop here for the 2014 Lok Sabha and Maharashtra assembly elections.

Chidambaram addressed participants of the day-long workshop, organised by the state Congress unit in suburban Goregaon.

The around 200 office-bearers at the event included Maharashtra Congress ministers, MPs and legislators.

"Chidambaram spoke on the merits of the direct cash transfer scheme," Maharashtra Pradesh Congress Committee (MPCC) spokesperson Sachin Sawant said.

Chief Minister Prithviraj Chavan, External Affairs Minister Salman Khurshid, Union Minister of Minority Affairs K Rahman also addressed the day-long conclave, he said.

The workshop was organised in view of party president Sonia Gandhi's directive that Congress should effectively counter "false allegations" levelled by the Opposition. The senior party leaders also analysed the prevailing political situation, he said.

The state Congress unit will be holding a formal media briefing on the workshop later today.