"Being the first meeting, it was merely an exchange of views on issues," said a leader on the condition of anonymity.
Antony emphaised the need for wider consultations to decide the issues and programmes to be included in the manifesto.
During the 30-minute meeting, leaders also spoke about the preparedness of Congess on social media vis-a-vis that of the principal opposition party BJP.
The robust presence of BJP, and particularly Narendra Modi team, has been a challenge to Congress which has in recent months pulled up its socks to meet the challenge.
Some of the leaders were of the view that more than eight months had passed since the sub-group was created and there is now a need to get going with the task assigned to it and inputs should also be taken from states.