To give Cong a leg up in Goa, Rahul to meet partymen on Thursday

With an eye to rejuvenate the party in Goa ahead of the 2014 general election, Congress general secretary Rahul Gandhi will hold six meetings with party's rank and file at Panjim on Thursday. Congress lost power in Goa to the BJP earlier this year.

With an eye to rejuvenate the party in Goa ahead of the 2014 general election, Congress general secretary Rahul Gandhi will hold six meetings with party's rank and file at Panjim on Thursday. Congress lost power in Goa to the BJP earlier this year.

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Gandhi will also attend the national executive meeting of the NSUI—the student's wing of the party—and is expected to give directions on how to campaign on the UPA government's accomplishments, including the recent decisions on economic reforms and direct benefits transfer scheme.

During his one-day trip, the Congress general secretary may also have to deal with the rising demand within the state to restart mining activities in the state. All mining activities came to a halt in Goa after the new BJP government took charge and Supreme Court issued an order on illegal mining.

“We will definitely seek Rahul Gandhi's help to pursue the central government to intervene in the issue as livelihood of thousands of Goans is jeopardized because of the complete halt in mining,” said a senior Congress leader.

“This is currently the biggest crisis facing the state. Legal mining should start immediately,” said another Congress leader. Apart from the NSUI meeting, Gandhi will hold five meetings with party leaders, including a separate interaction with party MLAs.