Congress holds interaction with weaker sections for poll manifesto

NEW DELHI: Congress leaders today met members of about 20 organisations representing the marginalised sections in keeping with party vice president Rahul Gandhi's stated objective of incorporating the suggestions of the weaker segments of society in its poll manifesto.

With Gandhi away in Jharkhand, party general secretary Mukul Wasnik today met representatives of beggars, domestic and migrant workers' organisations along with those working for senior citizens.

"As instructed by Gandhi, the views of these sections were taken so that they may be included in the manifesto," Wasnik said.

Representatives of organisations dealing with homeless persons, differently-abled persons, displaced people, refugees and HIV/AIDS patients, too, attended the meeting.

Sources said that the biggest issue which came up was the demand of the marginalised sections for an identity.

"They are unable to access government benefits, social services and programmes because of a lack of identity... There was a demand for some kind of common national identity for them," a source said.

Two children from 'Barte Kadam Sangathan' suggested that street children be given proper identity cards so that they can access educational opportunities.

Congress would have a sub-manifesto for different sections of society, sources added.