CM told to educate people on latest round of reforms

After Prime Minister Manmohan Singh's recent address to the nation following a hike in diesel prices and fixing a cap on subsidised domestic gas cylinders, the Congress party has decided to organise rallies to make people aware of the "governments' compulsion" behind taking such tough decisions.

After Prime Minister Manmohan Singh's recent address to the nation following a hike in diesel prices and fixing a cap on subsidised domestic gas cylinders, the Congress party has decided to organise rallies to make people aware of the "governments' compulsion" behind taking such tough decisions.

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The Congress working committee (CWC) has asked Delhi Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit to organise a massive rally in the Capital in support of the measures initiated by the government.

"It has been decided to make people aware of the Centre's programme and its commitment towards economic reforms. We will organise rallies in Delhi and in northern India," Dikshit told Hindustan Times. She, however, said the party leadership will finalise the rally dates.

Sources said Dikshit was especially called for the meeting, which saw members suggesting that rallies should be held at district level to convince the people about the need to bring in measures like allowing 51 per cent FDI in multi-brand retail, hiking diesel prices and putting a cap on supply of subsidised LPG cylinders.

Last Sunday, Dikshit had organised a public rally in Nangloi, west Delhi, to talk about Delhi government's achievements. It was her first public interaction at such a large scale after regularisation of 895 unauthorised colonies in August this year.

While talking about how her government had kept its promise of regularising unauthorised colonies and improving civic amenities in these areas, Dikshit promised the remaining colonies would be regularised soon.

"There seems to be a lot of negative perception about the Congress party among the public. With Delhi elections just about a year away and Lok Sabha elections also probably imminent in view of the ongoing political developments, there is an urgent need to present our point to view to the public," said a senior Congress leader, who wished to remain anonymous.