Four hours after a key meeting on Sunday, the Congress Working Committee “unanimously reaffirmed” faith in president Sonia Gandhi’s leadership, as well as called for large-scale reforms and corrective measures for an organisational revamp. The CWC asked Sonia Gandhi to address weaknesses and effect necessary changes, as per a statement released after the meeting that was held to address the party’s election debacle in five states.
The top decision-making body of the Congress brainstormed over a way forward and will hold a ‘chinatan shivir’ immediately after the budget session of parliament and the CWC will meet again, said general secretary KC Venugopal.
“Every single member of the CWC wants Sonia Gandhi to guide party till organisational elections are held,” Congress leader Randeep Surjewala said.
The Congress lost Punjab to the Aam Aadmi Party, could not wrest Uttarakhand, Goa and Manipur from the BJP and the party’s tally in politically crucial Uttar Pradesh fell to its lowest.
Former party chief Rahul Gandhi, general secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, Venugopal, Leader of Opposition in Rajya Sabha Mallikarjun Kharge, party’s leader in Lok Sabha Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury and P Chidambaram were among those who attended the meeting.
The CWC said the election results were a cause of “serious concern” for the party, and that it accepted shortcomings in its election strategy. The party also said it could not overcome the anti-incumbency in Punjab in the short time after effecting a change of leadership. Captain Amarinder Singh was removed from the post of chief minister ahead of the assembly elections and replaced by Charanjit Singh Channi.
Venugopal said, “Including senior leaders, members openly participated in the decision to analyse the results. It was a sincere and fruitful analysis.”
Surjewala said state incharges took responsibility for the drubbing received by the party, sources said.
From the Group of 23, which has long demanded an organisational overhaul, only Ghulam Nabi Azad, Anand Sharma and Mukul Wasnik took part in the meeting. Former prime minister Manmohan Singh did not attend the meeting. Senior party leader A K Antony was also not present as he has contracted Covid.
What other leaders said
According to sources, the point that Rahul should meet more people was also raised at the meeting. Another point that was raised was that removing Captain Amarinder Singh three months before the polls had hurt the party, to which Sonia said it was her fault that she kept protecting him, sources added.
Sonia said the Gandhis were ready to make any sacrifice to ensure the organisation’s success, as per sources.
Senior leader Rajeev Shukla, who attended the meeting, said, “Everybody requested Sonia Gandhi to continue as interim party president and, obviously, she agreed on it.”
Former Lok Sabha speaker Meira Kumar said the meeting was also held to prepare the party for the upcoming state and general elections. She said, “The meeting was on to prepare the party for the upcoming state and Lok Sabha elections. There were no resignations in the party.”
Kharge also said everyone showed faith in Sonia Gandhi’s leadership. “Whatever happened in the five states, we discussed it and also what needs to be done in future. Sonia ji will take steps to strengthen the party and everyopne has faith in her leadership. There are no resignations,” he added.
The CWC, in its statement, also said the Congress represented hopes of millions of Indians against “political authoritarianism” prevailing in the country and the party was “fully conscious of its immense responsibility”. The CWC expressed its gratitude to party workers and leaders across the five poll-bound states.
(With PTI inputs)
Read all the Latest Politics News and Breaking News here
Comments
0 comment