The Government made a detailed presentation on its pro-reform agenda to the Congress leaders at the Samvad Baithak . The Baithak , a mechanism to bridge party-Government gap, was held at Suraj Kund in Haryana on Friday.

Briefing reporters after the six-hour-long meeting, the Congress’s media cell chairman Janardhan Dwivedi said the party and the Government had decided to improve co-ordination in activities.

Addressing 66 delegates who attended in the Baithak , Congress President Sonia Gandhi said the party was facing a number of challenges. She, however, supported the various policy decisions taken by the Government recently and urged partymen to understand the limitations of the Government. She wanted the Ministers to consider the suggestions from the Congress workers while taking decisions.

She said the party would have to respond “aggressively” to the Opposition’s false propaganda. She said their real intention was to grab power at any cost. She said certain forces were working to destabilise democracy, equality, sovereignty and secular values.

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and Finance Minister P. Chidambaram explained the basis of the Centre’s pro-reform policy initiatives. The duo told the leaders that decisions such as direct cash transfer of subsidies would have to be taken in the interest of the health of the economy.

The Baithak also discussed the pending promises of the UPA, such as the Food Security Bill and the Right to Home legislation.

The Congress President said that a committee, with three sub-groups, has already been formed within the party to co-ordinate the party’s functions, ahead of the 2014 general elections.

> jigeesh.am@thehindu.co.in

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