Reports suggest that the grand old party is on its toes and has left no stones unturned to tap into the chance at government formation post Lok Sabha Elections. The party has stepped up its activities to stake its claim for forming the next government.
Congress chief Rahul Gandhi has convened another meeting of senior party leaders on May 22, a day before the counting of votes, sources close to the development told PTI. Top party leaders also started deliberations with other non-NDA parties in a bid to bring them all together as part of a joint alliance, in a bid to form UPA-3.
With Sonia holding a meeting of top party leaders at her residence in the national capital today, Congress party hopes to keep the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and incumbent Prime Minister Narendra Modi at bay from power in case the NDA fails to get a majority.
Rahul Gandhi has said his party will use the experience of Sonia Gandhi and Manmohan Singh to their advantage. He had told PTI that Sonia Gandhi will play a crucial role in bringing non-NDA parties together and in the formation of the next government.
Today's meeting assumes significance as Sonia had so far remained away from political activities due to health reasons. Reports also suggest that the Congress is in touch with other party leaders in cobbling together an alliance that it could lead and form the next government.
Earlier in the day, Rahul Gandhi met TDP leader N Chandrababu Naidu, and other Congress leaders are also holding deliberations with leaders from other parties. He has asked Patel, Antony and others such as Ashok Gehlot, Kamal Nath and P Chidambaram to hold talks with other parties. They have been camping in Delhi and strategising.
(With agency inputs)