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NEW DELHI: Noting that the party is "lagging behind" in its use of "new-age communication systems", Congress has said that it is seriously considering the idea of launching a national TV channel to reach out to the masses.

Indications in this regard came from senior Congress leader and former Union Minister AK Antony, who said here this morning that discussions are on to convert 'Jaihind TV' to a national channel.

Jaihind TV was promoted by the Kerala Pradesh Congress Committee some time back.

Antony was speaking at the inauguration of the new office of Jaihind TV's national bureau here, the channel said in a release.

Acknowledging that the party is lagging behind when it comes to utilising the possibilities of new-age media, Antony underlined the need for effectively taking the Congress ideology to the masses through the medium of a TV channel.

"Despite being the oldest democratic force, Congress is lagging behind in new-age communication systems and is not able to catch the limelight in comparison to other parties," he said.

"We are not able to counter false propaganda" at a time when people no longer cast their vote just by looking at a party's symbol.

Kerala Congress has been successfully running Jaihind TV for the last eight years. The channel was launched in 2007 by Congress President Sonia Gandhi.