Rahul Gandhi reviews politics in Jharkhand, Odisha

Amid speculation that the Congress is exploring government formation in Jharkhand -- which is under President's rule -- party vice president Rahul Gandhi reviewed the political situation with state leaders Friday.

A section of the Congress has been in favour of exploring ways to form a government in the state with the support of the Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM), said party sources here.

However, the opinion was divided on the formation of a government in Jharkhand and polls to the state assembly could well be announcedm, the sources said.

Some state leaders are opposed to the alliance with the JMM, while others think it could be of help now and later in the 2014 general elections too, said the sources.

Jharkhand Congress legislators recently met party leaders in Delhi on the issue.

Gandhi was instrumental in the recent appointment of Sukhdeo Bhagat as head of the party unit in the predominantly tribal state.

Jharkhand was placed under President's rule in January this year, which ends in July.

The central rule was imposed after BJP's Chief Minister Arjun Munda resigned and his government was reduced to a minority after JMM withdrew its support.

Gandhi instructed state leaders to strengthen the party and gave them targets for political activity over the next three months.

He also reviewed the party's prospects in Odisha, where Jayadeva Jena was appointed the state unit chief recently.

According to party sources, Jena presented a roadmap of political activity, including an aggressive campaign against the "misrule and corruption" of the ruling BJD government ahead of the 2014 general elections and a party membership drive over the next three months.

Gandhi gave his nod to the plans, said the sources.