LUCKNOW, June 16 -- The Uttar Pradesh Congress on Sunday directed its district-level leaders to intensify preparations for the upcoming panchayat elections, describing them as a true test of the party's grassroots strength.

"All district-level leaders will play a crucial role in panchayat elections, which are a true test of the party's strength at the grassroots," Avinash Pande, All India Congress Committee (AICC) general secretary and UP in-charge, said, during a review meeting held in Lucknow.

The review, which focused on the Braj region, was attended by UP Congress chief Ajay Rai, Congress legislature party leader Aradhna Mishra, and several other senior leaders. Districts under the scanner included Mathura, Agra, Firozabad, Etah, Ma...