Congress leadership in thinking mode

She walked to the Prime Minister's house for a dinner party. And at the 83rd Plenary Session of the Indian National Congress in New Delhi on Monday, there Sonia Gandhi was carrying her own bag.

Don't miss that thumbs up, inadvertent or otherwise. The reins of the ruling party seem to be in confident hands.

Spoke too soon? Sonia Gandhi seems to worry or wait or both as she looks into the distance, deep in thought. Mired in controversies this year, what lies in the future for the ruling party?

Oh no! The onerous task ahead of her suddenly seems to dawn on the Congress President.

Ah, but the show must go on. A glass of water and Sonia Gandhi is back to business.

But elsewhere, the future of the Congress starts some deep contemplation. Or is he Rahul Gandhi a trifle sleepy?

Or, perhaps, something in his eye? Surely that is not Rahul Gandhi making peace with the Bihar debacle, is it?

Well, some rest for the crusader. He has miles to go before he sleeps.

Tea break. Having said at the beginning of the meeting that he is all for probity and in the process having compared himself to Ceaser's wife, the Prime Minister doesn't look like he has a storm in his teacup.

But the Congress President is deeply contemplative. Is she reading the leaves in that cup or weighing sugar options?

At your service, Mr Prime Minister. Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee in mid-session confabulations with Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh.

And at your service, Madame President. Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee is kept busy at the 83rd Congress plenary session.

Grim tales? Ministers Ghulam Nabi Azad and Pranab Mukherjee seem to find little to cheer about at at the plenary session

When on his own, the Congress thinker, Pranab Mukherjee, seems to plan the next gambit in this involved game of chess that politicking has become this December.

That is my thinking cap, please. Defence Minister AK Antony seems aware that uneasy lies the head that wears any crown these days.