The Congress high command has sent a strict message across its rank and file, asking leaders to keep their personal opinions to themselves and stick to the party line.
For that matter, party president Sonia Gandhi constituted a five-member team headed by P. Chidambaram. Apart from devising the party’s strategy on day-to-day issues, the committee will examine pending legislative Bills such as contentious Goods and Service Tax (GST) Bill and Compensatory Afforestation Fund Management and Planning Authority (CAMPA) Bill.
Until Wednesday evening, the Congress had serious reservations against the Bill, arguing that it would usurp the powers of panchayats in having a say over the afforestation drive. But the first signs of the committee’s influence became visible on Thursday when CAMPA Bill was passed in the Rajya Sabha with the support of the Congress.
Others in the committee are Deputy Leader of the Opposition in the Rajya Sabha, Anand Sharma, senior leaders Jairam Ramesh, K.V. Thomas and Rajeev Satav.
“The idea is to straighten up the process of examining the Bills and draft a clear policy on national issues,” a senior leader who is part of the committee told The Hindu .
Ahead of the parliamentary proceedings, the committee members will brief their colleagues in both Houses so that they will not deviate from the party’s stand. “Many contradictory statements have come from our leaders over serious issues and our workers are complaining,” said a senior party leader.
