New Delhi, Nov 21 (IANS): Ahead of Jharkhand assembly elections, the Congress has called meeting of all its General Secretaries and State In-charges on Thursday to gear up for polls as only 7 days are left for the first phase of voting, slated on November 30.

The Congress is enthusiastic about clinching a deal in Maharashtra for government formation and wants to put all the resources in Jharkhand.

The party did not go all out in Haryana and Maharashtra. Yet, the results surprised many in the grand old party as it came close to winning the elections, at least in Haryana.

In Jharkhand, where elections are in five phases, the party is contesting in alliance with the JMM and the RJD. However it saw a setback with former state chief Pradeep Balmuchu quitting the party and joining AJSU as he was miffed by denial of ticket.

The Congress is pitching its top leaders including Rahul Gandhi for the campaign in Jharkhand, who had made cameo appearances in Maharashtra and Haryana polls.

The party also wants to take stock of preparations of the proposed rally in December.