Mistri works to unite factions in UP Cong

Asks leaders to stay together ahead of polls

Newly appointed Uttar Pradesh Congress in-charge Madhusudan Mistri will focus on ‘rebuilding’ the party organisation in the state besides working toward bringing different factions of the party on one platform to present a united face before the electorate in the 2014 Lok Sabha elections.

During his two-day stay in the state capital, he had separate meetings with Congress legislators, zonal in-charges and other leaders in a bid to have the first hand assessment of the ground realities with regard to the party’s organisational strength in Uttar Pradesh.

State party leaders here said Mistri will be criss-crossing the length and breadth of the state and meeting local leaders in the districts to re-build the organisation of the party, which is almost non-existent.

“The idea is to set up committees at different levels — from booth to the districts,” said a senior party leader.

The Congress plans to open its offices in all the eight zones in the state. Party leaders said Mistri will arrive in the state again in the next few days to undertake the tour.

Remove differences

Besides, Mistri was also expected to take steps to bring the different factions of the state Congress on one platform. During his recent stay also, he laid stress on removing differences and presenting a united face.

“Factionalism is the biggest problem of the party. Senior leaders seldom work unitedly,” the leader said.

He said Mistri has also issued a veiled warning that factionalism will not be tolerated under any circumstances.

The process of selection of the prospective Lok Sabha candidates from the state will also be expedited, the leader said.

Although the Congress had bagged 21 seats in the 2009 Lok Sabha polls, it received a severe drubbing in last year’s assembly elections and could secure only 29 seats.

It had to face a humiliating defeat even in the Nehru-Gandhi pocket boroughs of Raebareli and Amethi. The party could not win any assembly seat in Amethi and was able to win only two seats in Raebareli.