Varanasi, May 18 (IANS) The Congress central leadership, including party president Sonia Gandhi and general secretary Rahul Gandhi, will set the party's agenda for the 2012 Uttar Pradesh assembly elections during a two-day convention beginning here Wednesday.

While Rahul will attend the party's state convention in Nadesar Wednesday, Sonia will address the valedictory session Thursday, and will also hold a public rally at the Beniyabagh ground.

"Top party leadership would brainstorm with state party activists about the strategy to be adopted for the assembly elections," Congress spokesperson Virendra Madan told reporters here Wednesday.

"Our leaders will emphasise on strategising ways to strengthen the party's base in Uttar Pradesh. Instructions would be given to take up issues related to the common man, plight of farmers, land acquisition and poor-governance by the state's ruling Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP)," he added.

Asked why Varanasi was chosen as the venue, party officials said the historic importance of the city would help the party in connecting with the masses and strengthen its base in eastern Uttar Pradesh.

Congress frontal organisations - Seva Dal, Mahila Congress and Youth Congress will also attend the convention.

To welcome their party leaders, Congress activists here have set up massive cut-outs at prominent places.