(Rephrasing para 1)

New Delhi, Apr 3 (UNI) The Congress will usher in a series of reforms within the 123-year-old party as the crucial Committee on Future Challenges has set for itself a big reform agenda to give the organisation a new social and democratic face.

The Committee, in which AICC General Secretary Rahul Gandhi is a member, devoted nearly three hours last night discussing various intra-party reform proposals seeking to upgrade the party functioning in tune with the social, political and democratic changes within the country and at the international level.

"We have set for ourselves a big reform agenda," Committee Chairman and former Karnataka Chief Minister Veerappa Moily told mediapersons, while pointing out that the committee would soon submit its report on intra-party reforms to Congress President Sonia Gandhi.

Asked what were the major reform proposals, he said "We are discussing various proposals. The Committee would discuss the same issue at its next meeting also. They have not matured enough to disclose." "The Congress is a pioneering party in the democratic set up. We should take forward reforms within the party so that other parties will be forced to follow us," Mr Moily said.

Asked if it would be possible to effect changes in the present system of functioning of the party, Mr Moily said "We will do it.

Wait and see." UNI SH RP