A day after interacting with grassroot workers from western and southern Odisha, CongressVice President Rahul Gandhi today held talks with leaders fromother regions to discuss strategies to pull the party out ofmorass in the state ahead of the next general elections.
Soon after his arrival at the millennium city of Cuttack,Gandhi held deliberations with party functionaries and officebearers from 16 organisational districts as part of theexercise to bolster the prospects of Congress in the electionsdue next year.
The 42-year-old Gandhi, who is visiting Odisha for thefirst time after being elevated as the second in command inCongress, first interacted with district level workers andleaders on issues to be addressed to rejuvenate the party, outof power in the state since 2000.
"Rahulji's visit and his close interactions with grassroot level leaders will go a long way in strengthening theparty," said Odisha Pradesh Congress Committee (OPCC)President Niranjan Patnaik.
"Partymen are encouraged following Rahulji's visit. Itwill certainly strengthen Congress in Odisha," said seniorparty leader Chiranjib Biswal.
Describing Rahul's visit as significant for next polls,another leader said, "It will play a major role in revivingCongress and restoring confidence in partymen many of whom aredemoralised after our defeat in three successive Assemblyelections in the state."
Stating that Gandhi's meetings with grass root leaderswere progressing smoothly, a senior leader said the Amethi MPis also slated to meet panchayat functionaries owingallegiance to Congress during his day-long programme here.
Rahul Gandhi is also likely to meet former and sitting MPs and MLAs of the party, besides attending a meeting of theextended executive committee of the party in Odisha, he said.
Before holding brain-storming sessions with leaders atCuttack, the Gandhi scion took stock of the Congress positionduring his day-long programme at Sambalpur yesterday.
"The focus of Rahul's discussions with leaders atSambalpur was on strengthening the party in Odisha. He heldseven-hour-long marathon interaction with functionaries of 17organisational districts," according to AICC General SecretaryShakeel Ahmed.
During his two-day Odisha visit, Rahul is taking feedback from grass root level leaders and discussing norms forselection of candidates, he said, besides obtaining opinionsof partymen in this regard.
"Rahul is seeking suggestions from partymen on stepsrequired to be taken to bolster the poll prospects ofCongress," said another leader.
Rahul Gandhi is also likely to meet former and sitting MPs and MLAs of the party besides attending a meeting of theextended executive committee of the party in Odisha, he said.
Before holding brain-storming sessions with leaders atCuttack, the Gandhi scion took stock of the Congress positionduring his day-long programme at Sambalpur yesterday.
"The focus of Rahul's discussions with leaders atSambalpur was on strengthening the party in Odisha. He heldseven-hour-long marathon interaction with functionaries of 17organisational districts," according to AICC General SecretaryShakeel Ahmed.
During his two-day Odisha visit, Rahul is taking feedbackfrom grassroot level leaders and discussing norms forselection of candidates, he said besides obtaining opinions ofpartymen in this regard, the Congress vice-president is alsodiscussing strategies for winning the next general elections.
"Rahul is seeking suggestions from partymen on stepsrequired to be taken to bolster the poll prospects ofCongress," said another leader.