Dr. Singh elected as CPP leader

Dr. Manmohan Singh on Tuesday unanimously elected as the leader of the Congress Parliamentary Party (CPP), paving the path for the formation of new government to be headed by him as the Prime Minister.

At the meeting of newly elected Congress MPs held at Parliament’s central hall, Manmohan Singh’s name was proposed by Congress president Sonia Gandhi. She reiterated Manmohan Singh will continue as the Prime Minister.

Along with him, Congress chief Sonia Gandhi was formally re-elected as the AICC president. Her name was proposed by senior Karnataka leader Mallikarjun Kharge.

The CPP also endorsed Dr Singh as the leader of Rajya Sabha, while Pranab Mukherjee has been given the charge of the Lok Sabha. Later in the day, Congress in consultation with their pre-poll allies will decide on the various cabinet portfolios.

According to protocol, senior Congress leaders will now meet the President and represent Manmohan Singh as their parliamentary party leader. Dr Singh will then formally stake claim for government formation and the President, in turn, would invite him to form the next UPA government and prove the numbers in the floor of the House.

These are the technical formalities which needs to be fulfilled to make forward the process for formation of the new government at the Centre.

At the CPP meeting, caretaker PM Manmohan Singh said that the newly-formed government would try to reverse the impact of economic slowdown on the nation. He further added that the quarterly review of projects would be undertaken. The new government would be a catalyst of change.