Cong readies its ‘answer’ to Bjp-linked think tank

PARTY WILL REVAMP RAJIV GANDHI INSTITUTE TO FOCUS ON ISSUES WITH A CLOSE LINK TO ITS IDEOLOGICAL LINE

NEWDELHI: The Congress plans to revamp the Rajiv Gandhi Institute for Contemporary Studies (RGICS) as a think tank focusing on social and economic issues that find a “close connection” with the party’s political and ideological line, according to senior party leaders familiar with the developments.

A former minister close to Congress president Rahul Gandhi said the RGICS will soon be developed as “the party’s answer to the Vivekananda Foundation” — a think tank ideologically affiliated with the BJP with which a number of key functionaries of the Narendra Modi gov- ernment have been associated.

“The search is on for a new set of professionals and intellectuals who will steer the RGICS,” said the leader, who asked not to be named.

In what is seen as a first step of the revamp, G Mohan Gopal, who headed the institute since July 2011, has stepped down to pave way for a new team. Gopal was involved in preparing the Congress manifesto for the 2014 general election and was, at one time, considered an influential member of Rahul Gandhi’s team.

Gopal said he wants to “pursue an independent path” and revive his legal career to intervene in “social and democratic issues”.

“I want my independent voice outside the institution,” he added.

The plan to revamp the think tank, which is promoted by the Rajiv Gandhi Foundation, and which regularly hosts events highlighting social, economic and political issues in contemporary India, is part of Rahul Gandhi’s effort to restructure the party organisation, another senior Congress leader said.