Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge addressed a meeting with newly appointed district Congress presidents, including officials from states such as Bihar and Uttar Pradesh. Kharge emphasized that preparations for elections should not only be short-term but span five years. He urged leaders to take robust measures to prevent manipulation of voter lists.
Reviving Efforts Like Bharat Jodo Yatra
Kharge urged Congress workers and leaders to bring public issues to the fore, suggesting a revival of the impactful ‘Bharat Jodo Yatra’ campaign initiated by Rahul Gandhi before the last Lok Sabha elections. Alongside Kharge, Rahul Gandhi and AICC General Secretary K. C. Venugopal attended the meeting with district Congress presidents.
The meeting, hosted at Indira Gandhi Bhavan, saw participation from 302 district Congress presidents of Assam, West Bengal, Bihar, Jharkhand, Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Jammu & Kashmir, and Ladakh. Kharge urged DCC presidents to thoroughly prepare for upcoming assembly elections, highlighting growing communalism as a key challenge to be countered with the same vigor as during India’s independence.
Why Only An Hour's Debate on Manipur?
In his opening speech, Kharge criticized the government's agenda of communal polarization and neglect of public concerns during the recently concluded Parliament budget session. He expressed dismay over the government prioritizing late-night discussions on Manipur over crucial debates on inflation, unemployment, economic failures, or US tariffs, questioning if an hour was enough for Manipur's issues.
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Highlighting the upcoming elections in Bihar around September-October, Kharge encouraged local leaders to start preparing fervently. He noted that Assam and West Bengal face elections next year, followed by Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand, demanding full preparation and strength in these contests.
Prioritizing the Welfare of the Poor and Helpless
The Congress president stressed the incessant fight against BJP-RSS ideologies that oppose the public's and constitution’s values. He reminded everyone of Rahul Gandhi's campaign efforts to safeguard the constitution, which previously prevented a BJP majority.
Source: aajtak
Marking the centenary of Mahatma Gandhi assuming the Congress President title, Kharge mentioned the party’s decision at the Belgaum conference to declare 2024-25 as the ‘Year of Organizational Empowerment’. He recalled Gandhi’s words at the 1931 London Round Table, prioritizing the interests of millions of impoverished people over all else.
Election Preparation Must Span Entire Terms
Kharge reiterated Gandhi's original stance of voicing for villages, rural areas, and the voiceless, now represented by Congress. He warned against hasty preparations a few months prior to elections, stressing long-term groundwork.
He argued that district presidents are crucial in spreading Congress’s ideas and initiatives. Kharge identified rising communalism and hatred as the most significant present-day challenge and urged a return to Congress’s steadfast opposition as in 1947-48. In a key 1947 AICC meeting, a resolution against communal organizations was passed, which remains relevant.
Walking the Path Shown by Gandhi
Kharge asserted the still-existing need to combat communal forces sowing hatred. With society’s fabric under threat from power-hungry factions creating rifts among same-faith communities, our leaders have Mahatma Gandhi’s teachings as guidance. Additionally, Kharge stressed election process transparency and diligence in preventing voter list manipulation.
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Kharge encouraged diligent and honest work within teams, assuring support and expressing confidence in district leaders propagating Congress’s message and building a stronger organization. Post-meeting, Venugopal informed journalists of productive discussions with DCC presidents, noting its significance pre-dating the Ahmedabad AICC session.
Focusing on Party's Main Objectives
In the initial meeting on March 26, 255 DCC presidents from Kerala, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Puducherry, Lakshadweep, Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, Andaman & Nicobar Islands, Goa, Manipur, Nagaland, Mizoram, Tripura, Meghalaya, and Arunachal Pradesh participated. The second meeting on April 3 included 305 presidents from Maharashtra, Mumbai, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Rajasthan, Delhi, Punjab, and Chandigarh. Venugopal reported 862 DCC presidents in attendance overall.
Venugopal outlined major discussions on booth management, voter verification, media, social media campaigns, and financial management for party activities. The meeting was historic, marking direct communication between DCC presidents and the high command. A new system facilitating regular dialogue with DCC presidents is underway.
Emphasizing Organizational Strength
Nearly 60 DCC presidents shared perspectives on strengthening the organization and implementing changes. Venugopal highlighted extensive discussions on these topics, stating the meeting provided crucial insights for the upcoming AICC session in Gujarat, aimed at establishing a robust organizational structure by 2025.
The AICC convention on April 9 will see around 1,725 elected AICC members including MPs, ministers, and senior leaders engaged. Congress's central leadership emphasized empowering district committees soon, enhancing their responsibility and accountability to fortify the party at grassroots levels.
