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 The Congress has hired a public relations company to promote its election agenda, indicating that the party continues to flirt with the possibility of a mid-term poll despite the latest exercise of mending bridges with the Left.
"We have hired a PR firm but it is for the Gujarat elections," AICC secretary Tom Vadakan said, asserting that the party was only gearing up for the state polls next month. According to sources, the Congress is shelling out a huge amount to get a positive media blitz for the general elections. Party sources say general elections are expected to be held in August-September next year as the longevity of the UPA government remains in serious doubt because of its current disagreement with its Left allies on the nuclear issue. According to sources, the party is planning to announce massive sops for the people before going to the polls. Government sources say both the Congress and the Left want to announce the Sixth Pay Commission besides a host of populist schemes. Glimmer of hope
“It is not a question of sink or sail. Where is the question of sacrificing the government? A happy solution will come out and that is the desire of both the parties,” AICC Media Department Chairman Veerappa Moily said. The UPA-Left meeting downplayed the mid-term poll threat. “When there is a meeting, there is a meeting ground and you can't call it a deadlock,” Moily added. Nevertheless, the Congress refuted the Left's charge that the deal was a surrender of national interests to the US. | 
