New Delhi: The Congress-led United Progressive Alliance (UPA), buoyed by its unexpected election victory, got down to government formation even before the Election Commission had declared the final results.
Sunday morning, a core committee meeting was called at Prime Minister’s residence to review the party’s performance and discuss the formation of the council of ministers with its members: Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, A K Antony, P Chidambaram, Pranab Mukherjee, political advisor to Congress President Ahmad Patel and Congress President Sonia Gandhi.
A meeting of the Congress Working Committee (CWC) followed in the evening, where backs were patted and congratulations exchanged. However, important matters of strategy were also discussed, specifically the role of the allies and the extent to which they should be included in the government (see accompanying report).
The CWC meeting opened with Sonia Gandhi making a brief opening statement and inviting Prime Minister Manmohan Singh to address the meeting. Singh demurred: “You have said everything that needs to be said.” Gandhi insisted. “Doctor Sahib, everyone here wants to hear you, so you must say a few words.”
In his speech, Singh, apart from expressing his gratitude to the Gandhi family, reminded the party of enormous responsibility that lay ahead: “This government will assume office against the backdrop of the economic recession and serious trouble in India’s neighbourhood. We are pledged to continue the flagship social sector programmes of the UPA.”
A meeting of the Congress Working Committee (CWC) followed in the evening, where backs were patted and congratulations exchanged. However, important matters of strategy were also discussed, specifically the role of the allies and the extent to which they should be included in the government (see accompanying report).
The CWC meeting opened with Sonia Gandhi making a brief opening statement and inviting Prime Minister Manmohan Singh to address the meeting. Singh demurred: “You have said everything that needs to be said.” Gandhi insisted. “Doctor Sahib, everyone here wants to hear you, so you must say a few words.”
In his speech, Singh, apart from expressing his gratitude to the Gandhi family, reminded the party of enormous responsibility that lay ahead: “This government will assume office against the backdrop of the economic recession and serious trouble in India’s neighbourhood. We are pledged to continue the flagship social sector programmes of the UPA.”