Letter to Congress Workers

Dear friends,

Our victory in the Lok Sabha elections has been widely welcomed and cheered. Various sections of society expressed great sense of relief and satisfaction over the defeat of the BJP-led NDA Government at the Centre. Although I was confident of our partyŐs victory and the success of our allies, I was not aware of the depth of antagonism against the communal policies of the BJP and confused policies of the NDA government. The harmonious manner in which our allies and other secular parties had come together to form United Progressive Alliance proved that there was a tremendous support to our mission to restore secularism to its rightful place in Indian politics. We have had problems and difficulties in facing our political adversaries, obsessed with outdated outlook, but we could overcome these hurdles and move ahead to victory mainly because the masses had extended our party immense support. The election results have once again proved that the people in India are secular. They strongly opposed to bringing religion into politics. This explains the overwhelming support the people gave to the candidates of secular parties. The people firmly believe in composite culture and that this alone can help the nation progress. This is where there is a remarkable convergence between what the Congress Party stands for and what the people genuinely desire.

During my Jan Sampark yatras I had myself seen the condition of the people in different regions of our country. We have made enormous progress since independence, but still there is a lot more to be done. Rural India needs more attention and support. Keeping in mind the nationŐs progress in different sectors, its abilities and its potential the United Progressive Alliance has formulated a Common Minimum Programme. The CMP is our charter and guide. We shall endeavour to implement the CMP as effectively and as efficiently as we can to fulfil the aspirations of the people who reposed so much faith in us, who trusted our commitment to the masses and who believed in our ability.

As the Chairperson of the National Advisory Council on CMP, I assure you all that we shall strive utmost. I invite you all to involve yourselves in this patriotic endeavour and to take the nation forward.

We have just begun our journey with the new mandate and there is a great deal to be accomplished. For this we must all work together. I appeal to all of you to close ranks to fulfil the promises we made.