'Need discipline & unity'; Sonia reads the riot act to Congress leaders amid infighting

Congress president Sonia Gandhi on Tuesday did some plain speaking with senior party leaders. Amid internal fighting in Punjab and Chhattisgarh, Sonia emphasised on the need for discipline and unity. She asked the leaders to strengthen the organisation and override personal ambitions.

Chairing a meeting of top party leaders to evolve a strategy for assembly elections in five states early next year, she said the party must redouble its fight for the victims of the Union government's "worst excesses".

Gandhi also expressed concern over the party's messages on key issues not percolating down to the grassroot cadres, and said there is lack of clarity and cohesion even among state leaders.

The Congress president also commented on what she called "a lack of clarity and cohesion" among state level leaders, reflecting the party's big worry over its disarray ahead of various states polls.

"I would like to re-emphasise the paramount need for discipline and unity. What should matter to each and every one of us is the strengthening of the organisation. This must override personal ambitions. In this lies both collective and individual success," Sonia Gandhi said in her opening remarks.

Former party chief Rahul Gandhi also attended the meeting of party general secretaries, in-charges and Pradesh Congress presidents at the AICC headquarters in the Capital.