Congress working committee to meet on Tuesday, chalk out strategy amid political turmoil

With Mamata Banerjee walking out of UPA and the government facing opposition heat on economic reforms, the Congress Working Committee (CWC) chaired by Congress President Sonia Gandhi is expected to discuss on Tuesday morning to take stock of the "present situation" and chalk out the strategy ahead.

The meeting comes at a time when there is a clear realisation in Congress that the vexed issue of Telangana cannot be kept hanging for long. Indications have been given that a decision on the issue will be taken shortly. A couple of days back, Andhra Pradesh Governor ESL Narasimhan had a meeting with Gandhi, Home Minister Sushilkumar Shinde and Finance Minister P Chidambaram, fuelling speculation that a decision may be on the cards. TRS chief K Chandrasekhara Rao is camping in the national capital for a meeting with Gandhi.

The CWC meeting is taking place in the backdrop of clear indications that Rahul Gandhi is going to assume a "larger role" in party affairs very soon. The occassion could be utilised by the party to rally behind the Prime Minister, who is being targeted by opposition parties on a host of issues including FDI in multi-brand retail.

The timing of the meeting is crucial as it comes close on the heels of the opposition parties holding a nationwide bandh to oppose the government's decision on allowing 51% FDI in multi-brand retail, hiking prices of diesel and putting a cap on supply of subsidised LPG cylinders to households. The meeting is also signficant as it is being held ahead of the crucial assembly elections in three states including Narendra Modi-run Gujarat.

However, AICC general secretary Janardan Dwivedi refused to specify what are issues that will be discussed in tomorrow's meeting. "It will discuss the present situation" was his only refrain when asked about the issues that are expected to come up for deliberations in CWC.