Openion

Strengthening the Party and the Nation

When Mrs. Sonia Gandhi took over as President of the Party five years ago she emphasized that her chief aim was to strengthen the Party from the grassroots upwards. She had demonstrated her capability and is leading the Congress to victory in 16 States of the country from a mere 3 when she took over the Congress. In each of these States, she has further ensured that the principles which form the basis of the Congress party are followed and that broad development programmes, especially for the weaker sections of society, are systematically implemented. Mrs. Gandhi has, above all, highlighted the need to once again bring the ideological principles of the Congress Party to the front. As she said recently, "No power in the world can block the progress of the organization that follows its principle and polices and moves with determination".

The recent gathering of grassroot workers in Delhi on 28 & 29 of March is very much in line with the aims of our Party President, Smt. Sonia Gandhi. Held for the first time in the history of the Party, this gathering of Congress District and Block Pradhans allowed grassroot workers to express their opinions and their views openly. They brought to light the main issues that affect the moral and organizational ability of grassroot Party workers. Smt. Sonia Gandhi reiterated her vision for the Party by putting forward the Party’s commitment both to nation building and to the betterment of the living standards of the poor in India. The Congress slogan Congress ka haath garibon ke saath links the Party with the direction given to Congress workers by its leaders like Pundit Nehru, Indiraji and Rajiv Gandhiji. Like them, Soniaji also pointed out how necessary it was for Party leaders to listen to the voices of their workers and emphasized once again that the Government belongs to the party and not the Party to the Government. Another major point that emerged from this convention was their overwhelming response to Smt. Gandhi’s commitment to weed out indiscipline in the Party, especially when it affected the rights and claims of grassroot workers. As she said, "people who are holding responsible positions must give due respect to Party workers".

Smt. Sonia Gandhi has not only been instrumental in rebuilding the principled stands of the Congress Party, she has been chiefly responsible for enthusing Party workers by her accessibility and her reaching out to grassroot workers directly. Smt. Gandhi has a vision for the Party and for the Nation. In her concluding address to the Convention of Party workers, she pointed out how "Our vision is very clear. We have to develop the country in every field". This can only happen if we abide by the principles of equality for all and adhere to the Constitution of the country. The BJP has been trying hard to undo this Constitution. We have to stand together as Congress workers under the leadership of Smt. Gandhi to ensure that our country’s potential and future is not jeopardized by the shortsighted and anti-poor policies of the BJP.

The Congress Party, in contrast, is representative of the plurality and diversity that is India. It has always been a broad based Party with an ability to carry people of all castes and sections within the wider ambit of its secular and nation building programme. Under the leadership of Smt. Sonia Gandhi, the Congress Party has succeeded in projecting and popularizing this all inclusive principle across the breadth of the country. Through its elected governments it has tried to rebuild the Nation economically and politically and pull it out of the mess that the BJP has created in five years. As Smt. Gandhi has pointed out, under the BJP our farmers, our youth and the nations poor have suffered enormous hardships and miseries. The public sector has been slowly wiped out and massive unemployment stalks the nation. The dangerous fundamentalist voices that dominate the BJP are further aggravating the volatile situation in the country by breaking down the fabric of cooperation that the Congress Party had built over time.

Keeping these conditions in mind, the Congress has emphasized development and Constitutional secularism in all the States that it runs. Through regular meetings with elected Chief Ministers, Smt. Gandhi has set a precedent for good governance, which means fulfilling its pledges, ensuring law and order and accountability through running a transparent and ethical administration. As she said, "The Congress brings development to politics while other Parties bring politics to development." This good governance is clearly visible in Congress ruled States. Madhya Pradesh has implemented the largest literacy programme that the country has seen. Delhi has become the leader in business investment and Karnataka the leader of the information technology revolution. Congress ruled States have functioned effectively despite the lack of cooperation from the Centre ruled by the BJP. The Congress party has also been the only Party which has implemented an effective strategy to counter terrorism. Its recent victory in Kashmir proves that the people trust the Congress Party and believe in its charter.

Under Smt. Gandhi, the Congress’s charter is to revitalize the country’s economy, strengthen its internal and external security and ensure that India once again follows the path of peace and prosperity, taking its place amongst the great powers of the world. Finally, as Smt. Gandhi, has said, "It is time for each one of us to take a pledge - Think of the Country and Act for the Party. Let us resolve today to make every possible sacrifice so that all Indians, all our brothers and sisters can truly live with dignity and pride". It is now the duty of all Congress workers to ensure that Smt. Sonia Gandhi’s vision and commitment is adhered to. It is only then that the Party will once again be able to lead the country and deliver it from the mismanagement and corruption that has become the hallmark of the BJP.