For Congress, time to mull over alliances, economy, society

While Congress chief Sonia Gandhi will set the tone for discussions on the first two days of the 'Chintan Shivir', Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and the party's de facto number two Rahul Gandhi, will address the All India Congress Committee session on Jan 20, which will approve the Jaipur declaration.

That declaration is expected to serve as a guide to the party in the nine assembly polls to be held 2013 and the 2014 Lok Sabha elections.

Rahul Gandhi heads the party's Lok Sabha poll coordination panel.

As the Congress gears for a generational shift in leadership, Rahul Gandhi has ensured that one-third of the 350 delegates - 128 - are from the party's youth wings, the Youth Congress and the National Students Union of India that he heads.

Central ministers and senior party leaders will also attend the Shivir.

"The Chintan Shivir will start with Sonia Gandhi's speech. She will set the direction for the discussion by the delegates," Congress general secretary Janardan Dwivedi said.

The delegates will be divided into five groups to discuss the following themes: emerging political challenges, socio-economic challenges, women's empowerment, India and the world, and organisational strength.

The top Congress leadership, including party chief Sonia Gandhi, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and the party's de facto number two Rahul Gandhi, will join the five groups in turn for short durations.

The five sub-groups will be headed by senior leaders A.K. Antony, Digvijaya Singh, Girija Vyas, Anand Sharma and Ghulam Nabi Azad. These leaders will later brief the Congress chief on the gist of the debates Saturday afternoon.

The Congress Working Committee, the party's highest decision-making body, will discuss the points raised and approve a final document for consideration of the All India Congress Committee, which will meet Jan 20.

The session is set to open and end with an address from Sonia Gandhi.

Over 1,200 delegates from all over the country will attend the 'Chintan Shivir'.