Congress to amend Constitution, Rahul attends CWC

New Delhi, Nov 7 (UNI) The Congress Working Committee (CWC) today decided to amend the party's constitution to re-introduce single category membership at a meeting at which Amethi MP Rahul Gandhi made his maiden appearance.

Despite the political rancour in Karnataka, the nuclear deal standoff and the coming elections in Gujarat and Himachal Pradesh, the 90-minute long meeting concentrated only on the amendment proposals and the preparations for the November 17 AICC session, including the resolutions to be moved at the one-day session in Delhi.

Chaired by Congress President Sonia Gandhi, the meet of the highest decision making body of the 120-year-old party was attended by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and all the 23 CWC members and nine of the 12 Permanent invitees.

AICC General Secretary in charge of Media Veerappa Moily told mediapersons that the CWC has decided to move four resolutions, including a comprehensive one on political, economic and international affairs. The other resolutions are on the 150th year of the First War of Independence, 60 years of independence and the Centenary of Mahatma Gandhi's Satygraha in South Africa.

Though it was the first appearance at the CWC by Mr Gandhi, who was made General Secretary and CWC member at the recent reshuffle of the party apparatus, he reportedly took "active" participation in the proceedings.

He had reportedly suggested to do away with some of the ten voluntary declarations to be made at the time of applying for party membership.

Asked if the party had accepted any of the suggestions made by Mr Gandhi, Mr Moily said that he did not want to discuss the proceedings of the meeting. "All issues are open for discussion at appropriate time. We will consider everything." More UNI