Congress Presidnt's Address

Fulfilling Our Commitments

Congress President's Speech at Plenary Session, Hyderabad held on 21-23 January, 2006

Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singhji, AICC Members, PCC Delegates, My Fellow Congressmen and women, and friends from the media

I

We are meeting in Andhra Pradesh for the fifth time and in Hyderabad for the third time, in our long 120 year-old history. And what a glorious history it has been.

It has been a history of remarkable men and women who, by their struggles and sacrifices, brought us our freedom. They bequeathed to us democratic and secular values that form the bedrock of our Constitution.

It has been a history of enormous progress that has seen the establishment of the modem Indian nation-state and its flowering as a major political, economic and technological power in the world.

It has been a history of profound transformations. The people of India have rediscovered the wells-springs of their creativity and enterprise, and are scaling new heights of achievement. With all humility but with confidence we can say that the Indian National Congress has decisively shaped contemporary India.

And, in turn, the Indian National Congress, has been enriched by a large number of leaders and workers from Andhra Pradesh. Andhra Pradesh has produced outstanding entrepreneurs, scientists, doctors, engineers and other professionals. This land, so much part of our traditions and heritage, has also given birth to very many eminent cultural and literary personalities. Many diverse faiths and cultures have intermingled here in harmony.

Last year, the people of Andhra Pradesh not only brought the Congress back with a massive mandate in the assembly, but they also voted overwhelmingly for us in the Lok Sabha elections. This enabled us to form the Congress-led coalition government at the Centre. We owe a deep debt to the people of Andhra Pradesh, a state in which Indira Gandhi's memory is still recalled with so much affection.

II

We met last at a Plenary in March 2001 in Bangalore. On that occasion, we had resolved to wage every war, fight every battle, make every sacrifice, to remove the BJP-led NDA government at the centre.

That milestone was reached in the May 2004 elections.

Across the country, people came out to express their resentment on the divisive politics of the BJP that had damaged social harmony. They came out to express their opposition to the elitist economic policies of the BJP, that had neglected kisans, khet mazdoors, weavers, workers and other weaker sections of society. Lakhs of Congress workers all over the country worked tirelessly and selflessly to ensure our victory. I want to acknowledge their contributions and say that without them, without their devotion and dedication, we would not be in power today at the centre.

The Congress has always been a Party of karyakartas. We have workers in every village, in every basti, in every mohalla of our vast country. They give us strength No words are sufficient to appreciate their contributions. I should add here that, time and again, whether it is the earthquakes in Gujarat and Jammu & Kashmir or the floods in different states or the tsunami in the Andamans and south India, I have been moved by the spontaneous manner in which our Party workers have engaged themselves in relief and rehabilitation activities.

III

Twenty months ago, we formed a coalition government at the centre with the support of parties committed to secular values. Dr. Manmohan Singh, a Congressman of integrity and learning, a man of compassion and humility, became our Prime Minister. Under his leadership, together with our allies, we formulated a Common Minimum Programme. This CMP is based predominantly on the Congress's own election manifesto. So, it should be-clearly understood by all of us that when we fulfill a CMP pledge, we are fulfilling a commitment of our manifesto itself.

Being in a coalition is a new experience for us. But we have adapted well and have steadfastly followed the discipline and decorum of a coalition. True, in some states we are opposing the very same parties that are supporting us at the centre. We see no contradiction in this. National challenges demand that we cooperate. But state-level issues and concerns are very different. Let our colleagues from Kerala and West Bengal have no doubts — in these states, we are opponents and we will fight as opponents. We are running coalition governments in some states as well. I know that our Party workers feel that these coalitions diminish opportunities for them. But coalition does not mean abdication of party-building. There is no doubt in my mind that though we run coalition governments, we must at the same time strengthen our Party at all levels. What have we done since May 2004?

We have restored the secular foundations of governance. No longer are external tensions being exploited for the polarization of our society. We have fought terrorism with determination without targeting any particular section of society. We have replaced a prejudiced, bellicose nationalism with an all- inclusive nationalism in keeping with our pluralistic ethos. We have transformed the agenda of public debate that was obsessed with rewriting our past to a focus on the day-to-day concerns of our people. We have called a halt to the distortion of our education syllabus. We have changed the manner in which economic reforms were perceived, from an excessive pre-occupation with FDI and privatization, to an over-riding emphasis on employment, education, agriculture and health. We have given India a new stature in the world community. The 2004 Verdict showed that our people will reject divisiveness of any kind, social or economic. The 2004 Verdict showed that our people will reject arrogance and insensitivity on the part of those who are in power. The 2004 Verdict also showed that a party that is complacent, a party that under-estimates its opponents and exaggerates its own strengths will be humbled by the people. In that verdict lie many lessons for us also, in both the Party and the government. These lessons have to be absorbed fully. They must not be forgotten. Our Prime Minister will be speaking later on the accomplishments of the central government. But I would like to highlight some of our major initiatives that are of great political significance. We now have the historic National Rural Employment Guarantee Act that, as the name suggests, will, for the first time, provide a legal guarantee for employment. This is an unprecedented step for which the Congress Party and none else can proudly take credit.

We now have the landmark Right to Information Act. It is a major initiative for making administration at all levels transparent and accountable and for making people fully aware of their rights. We have a huge Rupees one lakh seventy four thousand crore Bharat Nirman programme that will transform our villages, and bring new prosperity over the next four years, by investments in irrigation, housing, drinking water, electricity, roads and telecommunications. In future, more and more of our people will live in urban areas. That is why we have launched the Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission in 63 cities across the country. Over the next seven years, through this mission government will be investing about Rupees one lakh twenty thousand crore, to expand infrastructure and basic services. We have started a national rural health mission, to ensure delivery of basic health facilities to our brothers and sisters in villages. Over the next six years, the central government alone, will be investing over Rupees one lakh crore in this mission.

We have doubled the allocations for the Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan and mid-day meals, and significantly increased spending on ICDS and nutrition programmes for women and children. We have succeeded in increasing bank credit to farmers. Our commitment was to double the credit supply in three years and we expect to achieve this target much earlier. We are also strengthening cooperative credit institutions.

All these programmes add up to unprecedented, massive investments. The Prime Minister has taken close personal interest in each of them and I know it has not been easy for him to balance different considerations. We have to recognize that we will achieve our goals only, if we can raise and sustain the rate of growth of the economy. We have stepped up the momentum of both public and private investment. We must understand, that it is imperative to grasp opportunities for faster growth, to generate more employment and resources for social sector expenditure.

I want to draw your attention to another feature of these programmes. For the most part, they benefit backward districts; the majority of which happen to be in non-Congress states. This means that, unlike the BJP, we do not play partisan politics when it comes to the needs of our people. More importantly this means you will have to ensure these programmes are not usurped or subverted by non- state governments. You will have to make people aware of their entitlements, and organize them effectively to demand and receive these entitlements. You must network more closely with activists and civil society organisations. The new Right t Information Act is your main weapon in this Endeavour. In keeping with our manifesto pledge, we have moved decisively to enact new legislation for the welfare of women and children. The Hindu Succession Act, 1956 has been amended to give women equal rights in inheritance of property. A law to prevent domestic violence against women has been passed. Our most precious resource-our children—now have a National Commission that will ensure their rights are protected.

Just a few weeks ago, as a demonstration of our unflinching commitment to social justice, the 104th Constitution Amendment Bill was passed to provide for reservations for scheduled castes, scheduled tribes and OBCs in all private educational institutions, other than those run by religious and linguistic minorities. This will expand opportunities in higher and professional education for students belonging to the weaker sections of our society. A Bill has been introduced to give legal guarantee for reservations in government employment, for scheduled castes, scheduled tribes and OBCs. A comprehensive Bill to protect the rights and livelihood of tribals living in forest areas, has also been introduced.

We have taken a number of measures to address the concerns of minorities. POTA has been repealed. A new law on the prevention of communal violence is on the anvil, and we expect Parliament to approve it soon. A National Commission on Minority Professional Institutions has been set up. A Bill to make the National Minorities Commission a Constitutional body has been introduced.

We have invigorated the defence modernization programme. We created a new department for the welfare of ex-servicemen and their families. There is a long standing demand of ex-servicemen relating to their pension benefits. We hope that this demand would be resolved soon in keeping with the pledge in our manifesto. I want to take this opportunity, to convey our greatest appreciation to the armed forces, not just for the valour with which they defend our borders, but also for the magnificent manner in which they come to the aid of our people during natural calamities. Now that we have a government at the centre and in a number of states, we can certainly expect the concerns of the aam aadmi to receive the highest priority. Prices of kerosene, for instance, have not increased even though world oil prices have sky-rocketed. I know at times, governance has its compulsions but our cadres should not feel shy of highlighting people's concerns, nor should such expressions be seen as criticism of our governments at the centre or in states.

IV

Now, I will say something in Hindi.

Friends, I am very much concerned about the way politics and political leaders are ridiculed, they are presented disgracefully.

It is very clear in my mind. The poor, the deprived and the have-nots of our society have a lot of expectations from politics. Our multifarious democracy has given them a voice, an identity and respect. Politics is the only field where anybody can rise and reach the heights of responsibility and rights despite a humble beginning and a simple living.

But, I do not mean to say that we should ignore the present day criticism. We cannot ignore it. There is a flaw in our system and we have to correct it. We have to eliminate the effect of money-power and physical-power. We have to take stern action against the people who use politics for self-aggrandisement.

As one Party, we are always committed to high ideals and purity of public life. When the BJP-led NDA Government was at the Centre, the Congress was the only Party which extended support to the Supreme Court that every candidate should furnish full details about himself before an election.

The Congress is the only Party which had constituted a committee, under the leadership of Dr. Manmohan Singh, it give suggestion to bring transparency and effectiveness is fiscal system of political activities. Ours is the only Party which has sent a comprehensive code of conduct for adopting simplicity by its members. To implement this code of conduct, I considered this the most important. This is not only for representations of people but for all Congressmen.

When the issue of cash-on camera for raising questions in Parliament came, we took a firm and principled stand, different from BJP. But friends, the life style of some of our colleagues is one of conspicuous consumption. It is painful to see the way marriage parties and birthday parties are organized. It appears that our sympathy for the poor a joke. Do not misunderstand me, I am fully in favour of sharing happiness at certain occasions but I am against the ugly show of wealth and its abuse.

The way our colleagues use their position is contrary to what we claim. This is different to the life style of our freedom fighters and great leaders, who led a simple life and the way they worked. At every stage, our elected representatives should follow the code of conduct and maintain the dignity of their posts by following the rules of public life, not worrying about their self-interests.

The success of our democracy lies in making alive the organizations on which it is based. Being the country's major political organization, it is our prime responsibility to change the attitude of our prime responsibility to change the attitude of people towards our political leaders and resolve the confidence of people in the political process.

V

We have taken several steps in the organization to increase political activities since the last Plenary held in March, 2001. Like Sadbhawana ke Sipahi, Bapu Sadbhawana Shiksha Trust, Swachh Vatavaran Abhiyan and Rajiv Gandhi Panchayati Raj bodies were created. In the AICC, I constituted a Task Force last year comprising colleagues of naxal-affected states. This Task-Force has submitted its report and it has made some important recommendations. This should continue and move further. We celebrated the 75^th anniversary of historic Dandi March and we repeated our commitment to Gandhian values.

Along with this, we started a practice of holding meetings of chief ministers of Congress-ruled states. In this regard, the sixth meeting was held at Chandigarh in October last and the main agenda was the implementation of their election manifestoes. In this meeting, I put special stress on having an understanding and partnership between the Party and the state government. There should be a dialogue between the two and both should strengthen each other. I know the feelings of the most of our workers, when they become the part of the government they think that the workers are of our own party, and will go nowhere? This attitude has to be changed. It should be understood, after all, mandate is given to the party. The party forms the government in states and the Centre.

For the first time in Delhi, we organized two conventions. Both were successful and I am specially satisfied. First one on women empowerment was held in October, 2002 and the second of Block Congress presidents was held in March, 2003. We organized a `Chintan Shivir' (intrespection) at Shimla in July, 2003. All of you know, we discussed threadbare all political and economic issues, which the country and the party were facing. Like this, these should be frequent meetings for interaction. By this, we get an opportunity for self-introspection and deep thinking. It gives an opportunity is the new generation of political workers to rise.

While speaking about generations, I have no hesitation in saying that, in comparison to other political parties, more youths are occupying responsible posts in our party. Similarly, the number of youths, belonging to different strata of society, seen in our party, are not seen anywhere else. Their strength and fortitude should get encouragement so that they can serve the party in a better way. Forgetting about deriving benefits from the election and the governments, they should use their energy and time to strengthen the party. Their identity would surely be established by their hard work. Definitely, there are senior leaders in our party and in fact, there is a rare confluence of experience and new enthusiasm.

You may remember, ours is the only party, which in 1998 made amendment in its constitution to grant 30 per cent reservation to women. But I am disappointed to see that we have not been able to achieve the target completely. For this, there is a need for a new pledge. We have to change our mindset for fielding more women candidates during elections. Similarly, we have to make a consensus for amending the constitution to grant 30 percent reservation to women in legislative assemblies and in Parliament and for this, we have to make double efforts. On this occasion, I, with pride want to recollect the social revolution, which was made possible due to the view-point of Rajivji, granting one-third reservation to women in panchayats. There are more than 12 lakh elected women out of 30 lakh women representatives in Panchayats. This figure is more than 33 percent.

VI

Friends, the period of last 8 years was a period of introspection for me. During this period, we had victories as well as set-backs. We should be neither too overjoyed by our victories nor be saddened by defeats.

We have major jobs before us. As President of the Party, I am aware of my responsibilities. We have to show aggressiveness to face our political opponents and we will continue to raise issues related to the common-man. Our return in northern India is very important. There is no magical wand for this. This is possibly only due to the efforts of every one. This will be a long and difficult struggle.

I know that I will have to pay more attention to these states, but, similarly, you have to accept that personally this is also your big responsibility and you have to fulfil your responsibility in an effective way. At their levels, the party office-bearers will have to work together with party workers and people belonging to different classes of the society. The party office-bearers should motivate and make the party in such a way that the benefits of the party's work and programmes should go to the party and not to a few persons.

For social justice, the Congress party has done much more than any other party. This is the reason that the expectation of dalits, tribals and members of other backward classes have increased.

We have to give them an opportunity in proportion to their expectations. By doing this, we have to always remember that the biggest characteristic of our party is that we move with all the members of the society. Only the Congress can do the empowerment of weaker sections of the society by maintaining the social equality.

Recently, there has been rise in naxal activities and violence. This is a matter of concern. This is such an issue where the Centre and the state governments in coordination with each other work in an effective way. Law and order issue should be dealt with firmly. But, at the same time we have to look at basic socio-economic truths which is the cause of dissatisfaction and unrest. In tribal areas development-related administration should be made more sensitive and human so that it can pay special attention to basic health and education needs. The issues related to land are the most important. These should be disposed off fruitfully.

During the last decades, perhaps no other country has faced the brunt of terrorism like India. Our struggle against the people, who are out to destroy the social fabric of our country through terror-activities, will continue in right earnest. We have not slacken our alertness. Our strength to fight terrorism should continue to rise. In this regard, we have to continuously assess our preparedness in the country.

It is a matter of concern not only for us but for the entire country the spread of communal forces in tribal areas and in the North-East. Every state of the North-East has its own identity. Indiraji and Rajivji had special feelings for them. At the government and party-level we have to see that the benefit of the public money used in these states must percolate to the people of the states and it should be clearly visible. To free the people from bigotry and terror of extremism, the government, the society and the political parties will have to work together.

Now, I want to say a few words about Jammu and Kashmir. Three years ago, facing all sorts of difficulties the brother and sisters of Jammu and Kashmir reimposed forcefully their faith in the country's democracy. They placed their trust with the Congress, the PDP and the parties of common ideology. I want to thank the party workers for the great determination they worked with. There is a great responsibility to run the government with a human touch. In keeping with the hopes and wishes of the people. I have hope that our coalition, led by the Congress and with the cooperation of the Centre will be able to fulfil its responsibilities.

VII

My fellow Congressmen and women, a meeting such as this is as much a moment for celebration as of reflection. It is as much an occasion for self-congratulation as of introspection. It is as much an opportunity for looking back as for marching ahead.  

We derive inspiration from our past. We take confidence from our history. We are conscious of the many responsibilities that have been placed on us. We are aware of the many challenges that confront us. Today, let us renew our commitment, to discharge these responsibilities, in a manner that assures a life of security, prosperity and dignity to each and every Indian.

Today, let us renew our commitment to face these challenges unitedly, with urgency and determination. Only by doing so will we be able to reinforce our position at the commanding heights of Indian politics.  

Jai Hind.