Congress to go alone in upcoming local bodies elections

Mumbai, May 19 (UNI) Maharashtra Congress said it wants to fight upcoming local bodies elections to Zilla Parishads, Panchayat samitis, Municipal corporations in the state which begins from September-October this year alone.

A meeting, convened by AICC general secretary Margaret Alva to discuss the party's strategy, was held at Sahayadri guest house.

Chief Minister Vilasrao Deshmukh, State unit president Prabha Rau and all ministers belonging to the Congress in coalition government participated in the deliberations.

Party sources told UNI that a majority were of the view that the party should go alone in the polls for strengthening its mass base at the grassroots and rejuvanating its workers.

However, the senior leaders have left the final decision to the party high command.

Sources said Ms Alva made it clear that she had not convened the meeting to take stock of ministers performances to set the ball rolling for a cabinet reshuffle or expansion.

Later, talking to reporters, Ms Alva said she reviewed the implementation of manifesto in the last two years and also discussed the party's strategy for the zilla parishad, panchayat samiti and corporation elections scheduled between late 2006 and early 2007, with the gaurdian ministers.

She expressed satisfaction of the government's performance in the last two years.

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