New Delhi, May 17
Tackling terrorism and the current economic recession will be the new government’s foremost priorities, declared Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on Sunday.

Addressing the party’s highest decision-making body, the Congress Working Committee (CWC), the Prime Minister expressed concern over the global economic crisis and turmoil in India’s neighbourhood. He, however, was confident that the clear mandate to the Congress-led UPA alliance would enable his new government to face these two immediate challenges effectively.

The closed-door meeting was attended by senior leaders, including party President Sonia Gandhi, Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee and Defence Minister AK Antony. Briefing about the meeting, held after a long gap at the party’s 24 Akbar Road headquarters, senior leader Janardhan Dwivedi said the occasion was utilised by the Prime Minister and the Congress President to express gratitude to the people of the country and applaud the hard work put in by the party’s workers and leaders.

The Prime Minister applauded the role played by the Congress President in leading the Congress and the Congress-led allies to a resounding victory and appreciated the contributions made by Rahul Gandhi in reviving the Congress’ fortunes

across the country, especially in UP, he said, adding that the Congress President was emphatic in her opening speech that the faith reposed in the party by the people of the country must be honoured.

“The Prime Minister said the new government would be assuming office in the backdrop of the global economic recession and serious troubles in India’s immediate neighbourhood. He was confident that the clear mandate received by the Congress-led UPA alliance would enable the new government to respond to these two immediate challenges effectively. He also pledged to continue the policies and various flagship programmes initiated in the past five years,” Dwivedi said, without revealing any further details about other proceedings at the meeting.

Amid reports that the general view within the party that the SP, which had been a difficult ally, should be kept out, Dwivedi said there was no discussion on specific individuals or parties in the CWC meeting. “After the Congress Parliamentary Party meeting at 11 am on Tuesday, we will sit with our pre-poll allies to discuss future steps,” he said.

Gathering in the backdrop of the party’s spectacular performance in the Lok Sabha elections, party sources say that the Congress’ celebratory CWC with permanent and special invitees discussed the new government’s format and participants. Discussions were held on the scenario after the announcement of results and the working committee was emphatic that talks should be first held with “pre-poll allies”, which include parties like the DMK, the Trinamool Congress and the NCP, to discuss the strategy how to go about Cabinet formation.

Indications are that the Congress may include only pre-poll allies in the new government leaving out those who had parted company just before the Lok Sabha poll like the SP and the RJD. Incidentally, the SP and Deve Gowda's JD(S) have offered to support the UPA. Lalu Prasad with four RJD seats is also keen to be a part of the new Cabinet.

Earlier in the day, the party’s core group met at Prime Minister’s Race Course residence to discuss the political situation and issues related to government formation. The strategy meeting was attended by Sonia Gandhi and her political secretary Ahmed Patel, Mukherjee and Antony. The CWC also passed two resolutions - one thanking the electorate for the decisive mandate, and the other thanking the Congress President, the Prime Minister and Rahul Gandhi. In her opening speech, Sonia called the resounding victory a moment of great introspection for the party. “We have been appointed the guardians of the hopes and aspirations of our people, most of all the poor and disadvantaged. It is our sacred task to take up this responsibility with sincerity, honesty and diligence,” she said.