The Congress today formulated its strategy for the coming session of Parliament, deciding on a slew of issues to be taken up on the floor of the house, which include rising fuel prices, inflation and joblessness.
Congress President Sonia Gandhi chaired a digital meeting of the party's parliamentary strategy group, which was attended by the party's leaders in both Houses of Parliament as also the whips. Ex-Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and former party chief Rahul Gandhi also attended the meeting.
According to sources, it was decided that the party will seek a full discussion on the issues of fuel price hike and inflation. Also amongst the issues highlighted in the meeting were COVID management, shortage of vaccines, farmers' agitation against the three contentious farm laws, developments on the Rafale front, border issues as also the demand for statehood for Jammu and Kashmir.
The meeting was keenly watched since there had been speculation about the party wanting to replace its leader in the Lok Sabha Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury. It was felt that replacing Chowdhury, a fierce critic of Trinamool Congress supremo Mamata Banerjee, would allow for better coordination with the West Bengal party on the floor of the house. The proposal was also viewed with regard to the larger scheme of unifying opposition forces ahead of the next Lok Sabha elections.
Several names had done the rounds as Chowdhury's replacement, including Manish Tewari, Ravneet Bittu and Gaurav Gogoi. It was also speculated whether Rahul would take over the leadership of the party in the Lok Sabha.
However, while the Congress has not abandoned the proposal to bring about a change in its Lok Sabha leadership, it is learnt that Chowdhury will stay on as the party's leader in the Lok Sabha in the Monsoon Session. It is felt that there is not enough time before the Session begins to bring about a change in the party's leadership in the lower house.
