Congress leaders meet to fine-tune party`s poll campaign theme

New Delhi: Ahead of the AICC meeting here on January 17 to firm up a strategy for Lok Sabha polls, top leaders of Congress on Wednesday met to fine-tune the party`s campaign theme.

A decision was taken in the meeting to link the party`s election campaign with the issues that will be incorporated in the party manifesto through direct feedback from people. During the campaign, Congress will be telling people that their suggestions were taken note of by the party and included in the manifesto and if the party-headed government comes to power, all those promises will be implemented in earnest, party sources said. Congress vice president Rahul Gandhi was not present in the meeting which saw the attendance of leaders such Sushilkumar Shinde and Jairam Ramesh. The party has already given an indication that Rahul Gandhi`s pitch against corruption could become Congress` main plank in Lok Sabha polls. AICC general secretary Ajay Maken, who is the party`s Communication department Chairman, had yesterday put out slogans and posters on his Twitter wall that seek to project Rahul Gandhi as a "crusader" against corruption. One of the slogans also seeks to contrast the purposes of Gandhi and BJP`s Prime Ministerial candidate Narendra Modi. The posters also mentioned the nine legislations Gandhi is keen to have passed. They include Whistleblower Bill and Prevention of Corruption Act. The meeting of party leaders was chaired by senior leader A K Antony. Apart from the AICC general secretaries, members of the party`s campaign and manifesto committees too have been invited to take part in the deliberations at a time when Congress has put its poll preparations on the fast track. Party sources said that immediately after the AICC meeting, Congress Vice-President Rahul Gandhi will hold state-wise consultations with party leaders on January 18 and 19. A hectic schedule awaits Congress leaders as the meetings of Pradesh Election Committees are being convened on January 21 to decide the names of possible candidates. Meetings of the Central Screening Committees for various states are expected to be held on January 27 to scrutinise the shortlisted candidates. The Central Election Committee is expected to be convened between February 1 to 7.