New Delhi, November 29 (IANS). In the Congress Working Committee (CWC) meeting held on Friday, the issue of government’s refusal to discuss in Parliament the issue of corruption, Manipur violence and ongoing caste violence in different parts of the country was raised. Apart from not being disappointed with the party’s performance in the recent assembly elections, it was also said that it should continue raising issues like caste census, increase in reservation limit, unemployment and inflation.
After the meeting that lasted for about four and a half hours under the chairmanship of Congress National President Mallikarjun Kharge, the party’s General Secretary (Communication) Jairam Ramesh, General Secretary (Organization) K.C. Venugopal and media and publicity department head Pawan Kheda told the media at the party headquarters here that the CWC discussed the current political situation in the country in detail. In this, the performance of the party in the assembly elections in four states was also discussed. Internal committees will be formed to review it, which will investigate the reasons at the organization and block and district levels.
The preamble issued after the meeting said the winter session of Parliament has been ruined due to the Modi government’s “obstinacy” in avoiding urgent discussions on three important national issues. It said the issues were: “Recent revelations about corruption, the ongoing violence in Manipur and the Prime Minister’s abdication of all responsibilities and the recent incitement of communal tension in Uttar Pradesh and various states by the Indian public A well-planned effort by the party.”
The party reiterated its commitment to the Special Provisions for Places of Worship Act, 1991 and accused the BJP of “brazenly violating” it.
It has been said in the introduction that the massive victory of Priyanka Gandhi Vadra in the Wayanad by-election in Kerala has created a wave of enthusiasm especially among the party workers and the general public.
The Congress Working Committee thanked the people of the state for the mandate given to JMM, Congress and other parties of the ‘India’ block in Jharkhand and said that they had “given the mandate to the JMM, Congress and other parties of the ‘India’ block” under the leadership of the Prime Minister, the Union Home Minister, the Chief Minister of Assam and the former Chief Minister of Madhya Pradesh. “Completely reject” BJP’s dangerously divisive and toxic polarization campaign.
The CWC acknowledged that the party’s personal performance in Jammu and Kashmir “should have been better”. It also said that the party will continue to press for restoration of full statehood to Jammu and Kashmir.
Regarding Haryana, the CWC said the party’s performance had been “contrary to all expectations”. Election irregularities in the state have affected the results.
Describing the performance of the party and Maha Vikas Aghadi in Maharashtra as “incomprehensible” and “truly shocking”, the introduction said it clearly “appears to be a case of targeted manipulation”.
The Congress Working Committee called upon the Congress organization at all levels to muster maximum strength and determination at this juncture, saying there was “no need to be disheartened or panic” over these defeats. The preamble states that the issues put forward by the party before the people during ‘Bharat Jodo Yatra’, ‘Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra’ and the Lok Sabha election campaign are issues of daily concern for the people. The party should continuously strengthen its narrative. This includes caste census to ensure complete social justice; Removal of 50 per cent cap on reservation for Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes and OBCs; This includes controlling the growing monopolies in the economy through political patronage and inflation and rising unemployment.
The CWC has alleged that the integrity of the electoral process is being seriously compromised. The CWC said, “Free and fair elections are a constitutional obligation, which is coming under serious question due to the biased functioning of the Election Commission. Many sections of the society are becoming disappointed and extremely apprehensive. Congress wants to raise these public concerns as a national Will take it up as a movement.”
Apart from CWC members, permanent invitees, special invitees and Chief Ministers and Deputy Chief Ministers of states also attended the meeting.
The party has also decided to organize a special event in Belgaum on December 26 to mark 100 years of Father of the Nation Mahatma Gandhi becoming the Congress President in 1924. During this period, a detailed working committee meeting and a rally will also be organized there.
–IANS
AKJ/ABM
