Sonia Gandhi asks partymen to focus on unity

JAIPUR: Gearing up for the 2014 general elections, Congress President Sonia Gandhi today told partymen that unity should be their watchword as the party had floundered many an opportunity for want of discipline.

Addressing the ' Chintan Shivir' here, Gandhi cautioned partymen of increased competition for Congress' political space among the people and noted that several inroads had been made in the party's traditional support bases.

"Is it not the case that we have floundered many opportunities that people are willing to give us simply because we have been unable to function as a disciplined and united team," she asked at the two-day party conclave held at the Birla Auditorium here.

The conclave will be followed by a session of the AICC on Sunday.

Among the leaders present on the dais included Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, Defence Minister A K Antony, Rahul Gandhi, Motilal Vora and Ambika Soni.

Gandhi asked the party leaders to set aside personal ambitions and egos to work cohesively and ensure that the party puts up a better performance, particularly in states where it is out of power.

"Why do we forget the simple truth that in the party's victory lies the victory of each and every one of us," she asked.

Gandhi said there was a need to strike a fine balance when it comes to dealing with alliance partners while ensuring that the party's rejuvenation was not compromised.