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CMs’ conclave to focus on election promises New Delhi, October 5 The CMs’ conclave, the sixth in so many years and the first since the UPA government came to power at the Centre, is essentially a stock-taking exercise. The intensive and business-like meeting will review how far each state has delivered on its electoral promises and where it is lagging behind. Despite persistent disclaimers from senior Congress leaders that this meeting is not meant to put any Chief Minister in the dock, the participants will not be able to escape discussions on some of the burning issues in their respective states, even as they focus on the implementation of their election manifestos. For instance, Delhi Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit will not be able to escape any reference to the recent power crisis in the Capital while Andhra Pradesh chief minister Y.S. Rajashekara Reddy is expected to speak about the Naxal violence. Maharashtra Chief Minister Chief Minister Vilasrao Deshmukh’s presentation will necessarily have to focus on the management of the recent flashfloods in the state and Haryana Chief Minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda, in all likelihood, will refer to the Gurgoan and Gohana incidents. “These meetings are basically about promises and performance,” explained a senior Congress leader, adding that it is also meant to ensure a degree of accountability on the part of the Chief Ministers. Congress President Sonia Gandhi, who will chair the meeting which will also be attended by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, will set the tone for the discussions with her opening remarks on Friday. While reminding the Chief Ministers about the necessity of implementing the promises made in their election manifestos, Mrs Gandhi is also expected to emphasise the need for according priority to the party’s thrust areas like agriculture, power, programmes for weaker sections, education, health, rural infrastructure and law and order.Dr Manmohan Singh, who will address the meeting on the second day, is likely to highlight the UPA government’s major achievements, its policy directions and also give details about the implementation of the National Rural Employment Guarantee Act and the Right to Information Bill. “The first day will be devoted to presentations by Chief Ministers which will be followed by intensive discussions. The next day, it will be their turn to seek clarifications from the Union Ministers about the important Central programmes,” said Mrs Ambika Soni, Chairperson, AICC Media Department. Among those present to provide the necessary inputs include Union Ministers Pranab Mukherjee, Shivraj Patil, P. Chidambaram Ghulam Nabi Azad, Meira Kumar, P.R. Kyndia and Mani Shankar Aiyer. Emphasising the importance of these
deliberations, Mrs Soni recalled that the National Rural Employment Guarantee Bill and the Right to Information Bill were first discussed at its conclave at Guwahati and was subsequently included in the Congress election manifesto.  |
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Conclave minus frills New Delhi, October 5 Party president Sonia Gandhi has given specific instructions to the organisers that the meeting should be kept low-key and is devoid of all ostentation. “These are her standard instructions...whether it is a plenary session or any other party meet,” explained a senior Congress leader. AICC functionaries said the organisers in Chandigarh had originally drawn up plans to deck up the city with
arches, posters and banners and putting up a grand welcome show, given
the galaxy of leaders who will be participating in the deliberations.
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Sonia delays arrival by a day Chandigarh, October 5 “She will arrive in Chandigarh on October 7, just in time to inaugurate the Congress Chief Ministers’ conclave,” sources said refusing to divulge reasons for the last minute change in her programme.
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