The main opposition political party, Congress has geared up for the next Lok Sabha poll with its highest decision making body – Congress Working Committee (CWC) has authorized Rahul Gandhi to forge an alliance with like-minded parties to take on the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).

During the meeting held in Parliament Annexe Building, Rahul, in his opening remark, reminded the party supporters "the role of Congress as the voice of India as also its responsibility of present and future."

In the meeting, decision was taken to constitute a committee to work out alliances with various national and regional parties to form a grand alliance at national level.

Congress leader and former finance minister P Chidambaram gave a detailed presentation on how the party can be strengthened with the help of allies in various states. Party sources said Chidambaram highlighted that the Congress is strong in 12 states and it can triple its current strength of 48 members in Lok Sabha with help from allies.

Chidambaram said the Congress can even touch the 300-mark if it forms formidable alliances with regional and national political parties in various states.

In the meeting, apart from newly constituted CWC members, Pradesh Congress Committee chiefs and Congress Legislature Party (CLP) members from various states were also present.

The proposal to form a grand alliance to counter BJP was already initiated by regional political forces like TDP (Telegu Desham Party). TDP chief Chandrababu Naidu held two meetings with Trinamool Congress chief Mamata Banerjee in this regard. BSP and SP supremos also favoured constitution of grand alliance to counter BJP in 2019 Lok Sabha poll.

But talks between non BJP political forces are yet to make any major headway for constitution of the grand alliance.

With CWC entrusted Rahul Gandhi, the Congress's new president to forge grand alliance between non BJP political parties, more political activities seems offing in coming days.

Congress which had successfully led two government at Centre with support from non BJP forces would likely to go any extent to BJP stop forming government again at Centre in 2019.

(Featured Image – India.com)