SPEECH

Respect Grassroot Workers : Sonia Gandhi

This conference of Block and District Congress Committee presidents was successful due to the cooperation of all of you. For this, I congratulate and thank all of you. I am very glad that the majority of brothers and sisters have appreciated the idea of holding this Convention. Our purpose was that all of you express your point of view freely so that we become aware of the reality at the grassroot-level. I know that most of you wanted to put forth your points of view. I wanted to listen to every one of you, but this was not possible. I regret this.

Seeing your courage, I have no doubt that in coming days the Congress will become stronger. This is the first step. The fact is that we have to work very hard to implement the resolve which we have made. The success of our line of thinking lies in whatever we say as a matter of idealism and principle should be reflected in the life of the country and in the life of the common man. You have discussed all the problems, I have understood the feeling of all that. But, I also know that when a person moves his step with a strong determination every difficulty becomes easy and the destination that appears farther becomes nearer.

Some speakers have complained that in states, where our party formed a government, workers at block and district levels and office-bearers are ignored. You would remember that I mentioned this issue in my opening address yesterday and made it very clear that every government is of a party and government has no party. Our state governments should respect the feelings of party workers as well as of partymen. Attention should be paid to suggestions. Members of Legislative Assembly and Members of Parliament should take suggestions from the partymen in developmental work.

I would like that whenever there is a party programme all leaders of the party should take part in it. Several speakers have said that party offices do not open. Our party offices must keep open, and whenever our ministers visit a particular area they must, as a rule, visit the local party offices and meet the party workers.

I would like to tell you that in individual life it is not possible to realize all dreams. Similarly, it is not possible to give ticket and position to every Congressman. But the people, who are holding responsible positions must give due respect to party workers. There is no need to be a miser on this count.

For us, politics does not mean government. The Congress party has been in existence in the country for the last 118 years due to its way of thinking, principles and policies. If we continue to follow our basic principles, the 21st century will be the century of the Congress as the history of 20th century was the history of success of party’s policies. Our principles were formulated during the freedom struggle. Great freedom fighters like Lokmanya Tilak, Mahatma Gandhi, Jawaharlal Nehru, Sardar Patel and Maulana Azad had shown us the path.

I discussed yesterday what should be our target. Our vision is very clear. We have to develop our country in every field of life. We have to do justice to all sections of society. Build the future of youths. Solve the problems of farmers. Make our sisters to move forward. Provide protection to dalits, tribals, backward people, the poor and the weaker sections of society and bring peace and happiness in their life. We have to act as per our constitution, which was written under the leadership of a scholar like Dr. Ambedkar. I want to tell specially the youths that wherever they find women, dalits and tribals subjected to injustice and oppression they should oppose it like soldiers.

You know, in this conference, most of the speakers have said very clearly only the Congress can fight poverty and unemployment. This is true that these two are the biggest problems, the biggest diseases. In our thoughts and programmes common man and poor man occupies the central place. I promise you that the Congress at all costs and always will be with the poor man, whatever be the section he belongs to in society.

I know you are much worried than me to steer this country out from the present grave situation and peril. All of us have to make concerted effort to strengthen our party. Immediately, we have to prepare some programmes. For example :

You have given open support with your hearts to the idea of participation and role of women. Therefore, I want that at district and state level, a women, who has achieved some distinction in any field of life, should be given an award. In my view this award should be called ‘Priyadarshani Purashkar’. Who can represent more women’s strength and ability than Indiraji?

No power in the world can block the progress of the organisation that follows its principles and policies and moves with determination. I am confident that all of us jointly not only make the country move forward but also safeguard its traditions and build a new history.

All of you have made this conference successful. I thank the Delhi Pradesh Congress Committee, the chief minister of Delhi and her (ministers) partners, members of Legislative Assembly, members of Seva Dal and all party workers who worked hard to make this conference successful.

(Concluding address of the Congress President at the Convention of Presidents of Block and District Congress Committees on 28-29 March)