Antony panel on UP poll loss meets Digvijay

The much anticipated ‘Antony committee’ report probing the Congress’ recent poll debacle in Uttar Pradesh would soon to be given to Congress president Sonia Gandhi.

The three-member committee, headed by Defence Minister A K Antony, met All-India Congress Committee general secretary, in charge of UP, Digvijay Singh, late this evening,before finalising its report. The report has cited contradictory statements by senior leaders, wrong choices of candidates, the Muslim reservation within the Other Backward Classes quota and price rise as some of the major reasons behind the debacle in the state. The party managed to secure only 28 seats, six more than in 2007, despite Congress scion Rahul Gandhi leading the campaign in UP.

The report, however, stays clear of commenting on Rahul Gandhi’s leadership and gives him a clean chit. At the same time, it does not blame any individual or hold anyone individually accountable for the loss.

As Digvijay Singh was abroad and had returned on April 30, the committee, which was scheduled to give its report by April-end, decided to meet the senior Congress general-secretary before finalising its report. Stepping out of the meeting, Singh said, “Such analysis is vital, keeping in mind the future (elections), so that the party can be strengthened and prepared.”

The three-member committee, which includes Delhi Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit and Union minister Sushilkumar Shinde, had also met various Congress leaders, including central ministers from the state who were part of the Congress campaign, to ascertain the reasons behind the party’s loss.