New Delhi: Congress president Sonia Gandhi has noted with concern the problem of poor attendance of party MPs in Parliament and hoped that corrective action will be taken with the party electing its state convenors.
"Now that the state convenors have been elected, I hope that the problem of poor attendance in both Houses will be rectified," she said addressing a meeting of the Congress Parliamentary Party (CPP) in New Delhi.
Taking exception to the absence of members, she said, "Our chief whips have a tough task mobilising all of you on crucial occasions. This reflects poorly on us and does little justice to those who have voted us to represent them here."
Noting that there is a large number of ministers from Congress party, Gandhi said expectations and demands from constituencies have increased and asked the ministers to give time and be of assistance to MPs.
She also asked the ministers to visit party offices and interact with party functionaries when they travel within the country.
Gandhi said the party is planning a series of training sessions for the MPs and asked the members particularly the first timers to regularly participate in Standing Committees and Consultative Committees.
The Party President asked the members to familiarise themselves with the policies and programmes of the government and see that they are properly implemented.