CONG-LD ALLIANCES 2 LAST

The sub-group meeting on the issue of coalition took The sub-group meeting on the issue of coalition took place over a week after the party's two-day Chintan Shivir at Jaipur gave a call for uniting secular forces. At the briefing, Chowdhury was ambivalent on the new allies of Congress. The sub-group is part of the Congress Coordination Committee headed by Rahul Gandhi for 2014 Lok Sabha polls. Antony has been the Chief Minister of Kerala, which has seen Congress in alliance mode for a long time under the banner of United Democratic Front. Several ministers, including P Chidmabaram and Manish Tewari, have already said they recognise the reality of the coalitions. Parties like RJD, LJP were part of UPA-I while Left parties had extended outside support to the ruling coalition between 2004-2008. Congress has been heading a coalition government at the Centre since 2004. While Jaipur Declaration of Congress asked all secular and progressive forces to unite in an ideological battle against those who polarise and divide the society, the party chief Sonia Gandhi gave a message for striking a fine balance between forging alliances and strengthening the party. PTI SKU PAL