Delhi Congress chants unity mantra ahead of municipal polls

New Delhi, Jun 22 (UNI) Targeted by opposition parties on a range of issues, including the MCD's demolition drive, power privatisation and water shortage, Delhi's ruling Congressmen chanted the unity mantra ahead of approaching municipal polls at a day-long convention of party workers today.

The mood for the convention -- called for a ''free and frank interaction between grassroot level workers and senior leaders'' -- was set in the morning itself when party General Secretary incharge of Delhi Ashok Gehlot told those present to be mindful of the ''Lakshman Rekha'' while discussing issues indepth.

The Congress would be ''unbeatable'' in elections if its party and government worked harmoniously, even while managing differences of opinion in a healthy manner, he opined while praising party workers for ensuring two successive Assembly poll victories.

However, even as stressed on the need for a united show by the party and government wings, state ministers were conspicuous by their absence at the inaugural function.

Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit dwelt on much the same theme later in the evening, exhorting her colleagues in the DPCC not to air their differences in public and use the party fora instead.

''The people should not get the message that the party and the government are at loggerheads,'' she said, asking partymen to keep ''personal differences'' aside for the party's cause.

While pointing out that no individual was ''above the party'', she asked the workers to act as a bridge between the common man and the government.

Speaking on the MCD's court-ordered demolition drive, she said the organisation should give serious thought as to how the one year moratorium on the drive could be extended on a permanent basis.

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