Congress top brass meets to take call on CHOGM

Amid the political controversy over India’s participation in Commonwealth Heads of Government (CHOGM) meet in Sri Lanka, Congress leadership on Friday met to take a call on whether Prime Minister Manmohan Singh should attend the event.

A meeting of the Congress Core Group headed by party president Sonia Gandhi deliberated over the issue for more than one hour and a decision is likely to be announced shortly.

Political parties and various groups in Tamil Nadu are strongly opposed to India’s participation in the summit.

The government is in a dilemma over the issue with some sections feeling that the Prime Minister’s absence at the CHOGM could affect India’s image internationally and hence he must participate.

Congress has so far refused to publically take a stand on the politically sensitive issue.

The party has said it will back whatever decision the Prime Minister takes on India’s participation in the summit keeping in mind national interests.

Union Ministers V. Narayanasamy, Jayanthi Natarajan and G.K. Vasan have publicly opposed the Prime Minister’s participation in the summit.

MEA has been favouring Dr. Singh’s visit to Sri Lanka for CHOGM, maintaining that it was vital for him to be present at this meet as it will reflect India’s interests and is also paramount to the nation’s strategic and security interests.