CWC meet to settle quota issue

The Congress high command is likely to convene a meeting of the Congress Working Committee (CWC) not only to review the result of the Assembly elections but also because Human Resource Development Minister Arjun Singh wants it.

Singh has told partymen that issues like reservations can be settled once and for all only if the party takes a view on the remarks of colleagues like Science and Technology Minister Kapil Sibal that merit must not be compromised.

Even though leaders like Laloo Prasad Yadav who normally speak up for the Other Backward Classes (OBCs) are silent, Singh's colleagues in the government believe a debate on quotas is an excuse for what is the beginning of a campaign to question Prime Minister Manmohan Singh's leadership.

There is a pattern in demands that the party and the government consider a change of leadership.

While Natwar Singh called for younger leaders to take over, Ajit Jogi started a signature campaign seeking a bigger role for Rahul Gandhi. "None of them would have spoken up unless they had protection," said a government source.

No one in the Congress believes that the Gandhi family is orchestrating the campaign but most feel that a group around Rahul Gandhi is urging him to become more assertive.

Senior party leaders said friends spurred Rahul to say he was willing to take on more responsibility and that a group of young leaders around him could play the role Arun Nehru and others played when Rajiv Gandhi entered active politics.

That things are beginning to spin out of control is clear. "Earlier, Cabinet meetings used to be straightforward affairs where the prime minister would speak and the ministers do as directed. Suddenly, ministers are speaking on things they know nothing about," said a minister.

Congress President Sonia Gandhi has said nothing on reservations.