In search of new allies ahead ofLok Sabha poll just 16 months away, Congress has roped in itsveterans in the art of running coalitions in states like A KAntony.
Antony heads the party's sub-group on Emerging PoliticalChallenges formed for the 'Chintan Shivir' (brainstormingsession) at a time when the talk in Congress is that allianceis inevitable for next parliamentary elections.
Besides Antony, the sub-group comprises Home MinisterSushilkumar Shinde, who has run a coalition in Maharashtra,Delhi Chief Minister Shiela Dikshit, who has ensured theparty's government in Delhi for three successive terms,Finance Minister P Chidambaram, Information and BroadcastingMinister Manish Tewari, former Nagaland Chief Minister S CJameer and young Dalit leader Ashok Tanwar, a former YouthCongress President.
Kerala, where Antony was Chief Minister, is the firstmajor state-level coalition being run by Congress successfullyfor several decades.
The sub-group headed by Antony is one of the five panelswhich have been tasked to come out with a draft on variousaspects.
Digvijay Singh heads the sub group on Socio-EconomicChallenges while External Affairs Minister S M Krishna headsthe sub-group on India and the World (Foreign Policy). C PJoshi chairs the sub-group on Rural Development andAgriculture and Girija Vyas heads the one on OrganizationalStrength.
A signficant aspect of the sub-group on economy is thatit comprises politicians most of whom are known for theLeft-of-the-Centre tilt including V Kishore Chandra Deo and BK Hariprasad. Union ministers M Veerappa Moily, Charan DasMahant, Sachin Pilot and Kumari Selja are other members of thegroup.
The party had earlier constituted a high-level groupheaded by Congress veteran Motilal Vora to oversee theorganisation of the Chintan Shivir to be held in Jaipur onJanuary 18 and 19 with former I and B Minister Ambika Soni asits convenor.