Rahul Gandhi imprint in Ramesh’s new role in party

NEW DELHI: In another signal conveying Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi's increasing sway in the party, rural development minister Jairam Ramesh was appointed convener of a 'Special Group' of Congress.

The group will serve as a nerve centre in facilitating and coordinating party's actions in run-up to 2014 Lok Sabha elections.

The group would be the secretariat for the existing election coordination committee headed by Gandhi set up for next year's election.

Ramesh had resigned from the government ahead of the 2009 Lok Sabha polls to work for the party. There had been indications that the minister could again quit the government.

Ahead of assembly polls to five states, Ramesh was recently assigned greater responsibility within the Congress. He was asked to ensure effective implementation of the party manifesto in Arunachal Pradesh, Manipur, Mizoram and Jharkhand.

This is in addition to the lead role Ramesh plays in charting out the party's strategy on key government schemes and identifying future challenges.