Having arrived three hours behind schedule due to

inclement weather, the Amethi MP tried to assess whether selection of candidates for the 2009 elections had been done properly while underscoring need for putting up right nominees next time, said a leader emerging after a session with Rahul. "The purpose is to exchange ideas with those party leaders who cannot go to Delhi to express their views on how to strengthen the party," said AICC Odisha in-charge Jagdish Tytler, as state leaders hoped Rahul would bring a turnaround in Congress prospects. The focus during Rahul's interactions with leaders, party office bearers and MLAs from 17 organisational districts was on taking partymen closer to the masses, sources said. The visit of Rahul, who will be in Cuttack tomorrow, is seen as an exercise aimed at gearing up the party for the polls as Congress has been out of power in Odisha since 2000. A tight security net was thrown around the venue and the deliberations were not open to media. As Congress MP Pradeep Majhi put it, Rahul's visit to Odisha at this juncture is significant as the young leader has been taking keen interest in strengthening the party at the grassroots level. Congress, which has lost three consecutive Assembly elections in Odisha since 2000, now pins hope in Rahul and believes he can bolster party's poll prospects, said a leader. "The focus is to strengthen the party organisation at grassroots level so that Congress can take on the ruling BJD effectively," he said. Rahul met district and block level office-bearers of the party and its women, youth and student wings from western and southern regions of Odisha in different batches.