Rahul Gandhi holds consultations with state leaders

New Delhi: After being formally assigned to lead the campaign in the Lok Sabha polls, Rahul Gandhi on Saturday held consultations with state leaders on the strategy ahead.

Gandhi met AICC delegates from each state separately seeking to know about the issues that will play in the next Lok Sabha polls in their state and the strength of the organisation there. The party is all set to begin the process of its ticket distribution exercise by holding meetings of newly-set screening committess to meet its plan for early declaration of candidates. A number of meetings of the party`s committee on alliance, manifesto and campaign strategy have already been held and some quick decisions on all these are expected soon. Gandhi`s consultations with the chiefs of Pradesh Congress Committees and District Congress Committees are also intended at incorporating the views and suggestions from the states on issues on which Congress will go to Lok Sabha polls in respective states. Gandhi met leaders of each state for 15 to 30 minutes. The consultations will also continue tomorrow. Addressing the AICC meeting yesterday, which saw the party passing over the baton of leadership to him for next general elections, Rahul Gandhi had sought to enthuse the demoralised Congress cadre for the Lok Sabha polls and attacked Narendra Modi over his `Congress-free India` pitch and "divisive" politics. He had also given indications of changing the style of functioning in the party, which he had promised after the drubbing in Assembly polls, by ensuring larger participation of people, including women in decision-making like candidate selection. Gandhi had also said tickets will not be given to party hoppers but to those who have "Congress in their blood" and candidates for 15 Lok Sabha seats will be chosen on the basis of feedback from local units, an experiment which will be expanded if it works.