Muristek
New Delhi, April 19
Days after Sonia Gandhi said the road ahead for Congress was tougher than ever, the party is likely to hold an introspection meeting of senior leaders at Udaipur in mid-May.
The likely dates for the Chintan Shivir are May 13 to 15, sources said, adding that the Congress Working Committee, the party's highest decision making body, would approve the final schedule of the shivir soon.
AICC sources said over 400 leaders are expected to congregate in Rajasthan's Udaipur for the meeting.
Earlier on March 13, the CWC had taken note of the party's embarrassing election losses in UP, Uttarakhand, Punjab, Manipur and Goa.
Unanimously reaffirming their faith in the leadership of Sonia Gandhi, the CWC requested her to lead from the front, address the organisational weaknesses, effect necessary and comprehensive organisational changes in order to take on the political challenges. The CWC had resolved to hold the introspection meeting.
The meeting will discuss what led to the party's recent and previous election losses and what needs to be done to make it battle ready for the 2022, 2023 state elections and the 2024 general Elections.
The CWC had earlier acknowledged that the losses occurred due to shortcomings of strategy.
Addressing the Congress parliamentary party recently Sonia Gandhi had said, "The road ahead is more challenging than ever before. Our dedication and determination, our spirit of resilience is under severe test. Unity at all levels of our vast organisation is of paramount importance and speaking for myself, I am determined to do whatever is needed to ensure it. Our revival is not just a matter of importance to us alone—it is, in fact, essential for our democracy itself and society as well."
It is in this backdrop that the Congress introspection meeting is being called.
Sonia to decide on Kishor's entry
Poll strategist Prashant Kishor, meanwhile, met Sonia Gandhi for a third time in a week with sources saying the final call on his proposed induction into the Congress would be Congress president's. Sonia is learnt to have consulted senior leaders on the issue.