The selection of speakers by the Congress in the Liberhan debate suggests the party is trying to downplay matters. According to party insiders, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Pawan Kumar Bansal drew up the list and not many top leaders were consulted.
The party has also decided against fielding too many heavyweight leaders, and MPs from Uttar Pradesh are being encouraged to speak even if they are relatively lightweight. Apart from Home Minister P Chidambaram, who has given the customary reply to the debate, only one minister has been selected to participate in the debate in each House of Parliament. Corporate Affairs and Minority Development Minister Salman Khurshid spoke in the Lok Sabha while HRD Minister Kapil Sibal will defend the party in the Rajya Sabha.