Congress president Sonia Gandhi [Images] Monday evening said the Assembly elections in four states and a Union territory posed a challenge to the party.

However, she expressed with confidence that the party would squarely meet the challenge.

• Congress Plenary 2006

In her concluding remarks at the 82nd Congress plenary, Sonia said, "The elections in Assam, West Bengal, Kerala [Images], Tamil Nadu and Pondicherry are a challenge for the party. But there is no challenge, which cannot be overcome with determination and unity."

In Assam, Kerala and Pondicherry, the Congress is in power. The poll issues varied from state to state. She exhorted partymen to sink their differences and work for the success of the party. "In the party's strength, lies your own strength. If we are with the people, we can never face defeat," she told the 12,000-odd delegates who attended the plenary session.

Stating that in the changed circumstances, there was a need for the party organisation also to keep pace, she announced that she would set up a committee soon to review the party constitution. She had been receiving suggestions for amending the party constitution. Some important changes would be brought in, she said without giving any details.

She asked party leaders to organise the party conventions in 200 districts in the country where the National Rural Employment Guarantee Act is being implemented. She also emphasised the need for training programmes for the party cadres and leaders to keep them abreast of developments in various fields.

She asked the senior leaders in the party to be role models for party cadres and young leaders.