RESOLUTION

Part-I

This session of the AICC takes place at a moment of great historic significance. After several years of misdirected and misconceived governance, the people of India have successfully uprooted the NDA government. There is no measure of doubt that the NDA government was essentially the BJP packaged with some opportunistic and other confused political outfits that pretended to give the BJP a degree of false acceptability and the numbers they needed in Parliament.

Resolution of thanks to voters of India and Smt. Sonia Gandhi The AICC expresses its deep gratitude to the voters of the country for having reposed their faith in the Congress Party, its alliance partners and supporting parties in the last General Election. This enlightened support has great significance because this election was a direct contest of ideologies and aspirations. In this contest the democratic, secular, socialist and progressive ideology of the Congress triumphed. It is matter of great joy and satisfaction for us that our policies have received the support of every section of society. The AICC also expresses profound gratitude to our beloved leader Smt. Sonia Gandhi who has struggled tirelessly for the party for the last six years. She travelled to every corner of the land, dialogued directly with people, took stock of their problems and overcoming all obstructions or opposition, made the voice of the party heard loud and clear. Our success was possible because of the dedicated efforts of party workers and Smt. Sonia Gandhi. After the election success, the dignity with which Smt. Sonia Gandhi renounced the post of the Prime Minister has no parallel in today’s world. She chose the party over power, service over a position, work over the fruits of success, and struggle instead of comfort. In Indian ethos such sacrifice and self-denial is the tradition of ascetics. One great example of this in the 20th century, immediately after independence was shown by Mahatama Gandhi. Her role model will be a beacon on the path of faith and dedication for the coming generation. This session of the AICC expresses its deep gratitude and very special respect for Smt. Sonia Gandhi.

The people of India have shown great insight, courage and conviction, and commitment secular values. The AICC, and the entire Congress party, salute and express their deep gratitude to the Indian voter for throwing the BJP/NDA out of power.

The AICC believes that mobilizing the spirit of India, particularly in the voice of the Kisan and Khet Mazdoor, the unemployed youth, the depressed Dalit, distressed minority, discriminated Mahila, the backward citizen, the tribal, indeed the Aam Admi, at the crucial juncture, could not have been possible but for the undaunting, tireless, courageous and constant, personal efforts of Congress President, Smt. Sonia Gandhi. Long before the election results it was apparent that the people of India were her prime concern and that for them she was a hope in a dark and depressing era. The Congress party shall always remain beholden to Smt. Sonia Gandhi for changing the political atmosphere of the country from divisiveness and discord to optimism and opportunity for all.

After the satisfactory election results, came the unexpected and unprecedented step by Smt. Sonia Gandhi to give up the post of the Prime Minister of India. The spirit of sacrifice and service of the common people, writ large on her remarkable decision, has virtually transformed the contemporary political – moral landscape of our country. But it is a matter of great satisfaction that she reiterated her intention to continue to lead the party and that she will be able to give us her valuable time and undivided attention. The AICC also congratulates Smt. Sonia Gandhi for having given India a Prime Minister like Dr. Manmohan Singh, a wise choice that flags Smt. Gandhi’s priorities for contemporary politics – competent, clear, clean and compassionate governance.

The AICC notes that changing political conditions in the country have steered politics towards the inevitability of coalitions for the foreseeable future. Historically the Congress Party has been seen as a broad coalition of social groups and interests, combining under the umbrella of Gandhian ethos. Social and political polarization, as Indian democracy matured after Independence, even as economic development took place carefully guided by successive Congress governments to give highest priority to the welfare of the poor and disadvantaged, has altered the nature of political challenges. Many empowered sections of society who directly benefited from Congress policies, consistently supported us, whilst others even branched off to other political formations for a host of subjective and objective reasons. However, their separate successes were sporadic and varying. Prevailing ground realities have led to inevitable public aspiration for renewed collaboration and cooperation with the Congress. In that knowledge and spirit the Congress party took a resolve at Shimla to work for a national alliance that would contain and eventually uproot the BJP-NDA combine. The AICC congratulates the Congress and all its partners in the UPA as well as the supporting parties for success in removing the communal forces from the seat of power at the Centre.

The saga of corruption and exploitation evidenced by the bank scam, UTI scam, DDA land scam, defence purchase scams, (particularly the shocking coffin scandal, Tehelka) and many more had made India’s governance a pathetic picture with "For Sale" signs everywhere in government. Appropriate corrective measures and accountability need to be set in motion urgently.

The Congress perceives an alternative governance model that eliminates corruption, legislates good laws that can be reasonably obeyed, provides for accountability and transparency in administrative decisions, greater people’s participation in policy making, and ensures a pervasive sense of justice.

The AICC recognizes that the success in the elections was only a fresh beginning and that the success and stability of the UPA government is a national imperative. Whilst we emphasize the crucial importance of Congress President’s contribution to the management of the UPA and maintenance of comfort level of the alliance partners, it cannot be gainsaid that the real success of the UPA depends as much on the cooperation and understanding between the rank and file of the respective partners as indeed between the leaders in Parliament. Our concerns and perceptions cannot be identical in all cases and at all times. Many of the UPA partners and supporting parties do not have nationwide presence and therefore their priorities per force may be different. The CMP therefore provides the guiding principles for our relationship. The AICC congratulates the leadership of UPA for the CMP and expresses the hope that it will guarantee stable and good governance to our land. A coalition has constraints and compulsions that define its policies and working style. However the partners cannot overlook the need for a spirit of honest accommodation and the constant knowledge that the alternative to our collective success may be disastrous.

The change in the Central government has brought relief to the people who left stifled due to cynical manipulation of institutions and injection of poisonous content into our thought processes. Parliamentary institutions were undermined as the then BJP-led NDA Government even refuse to show necessary documents to the Public Accounts Committee of Parliament. The Constitution itself was sought to be changed to serve their ideology. The pain of Gujarat and elsewhere will take some time to ease. The battle for the minds and hearts of our people continues. The AICC extends its unqualified support to the efforts to reestablish the rule of law, revive confidence amongst victims, impose accountability on perpetrators of wrong, restructure instruments of justice, etc. Our commitment to justice must be seen, heard and felt in every nook and corner of our country. Our ability and resolve should appear conspicuous and consistent. Our children must not grow up in the atmosphere polluted by the RSS.

The political fraud resorted to by the BJP in trying to camouflage its narrow, communal beliefs and attitudes inspired and directed by the RSS behind a façade of a variety of pseudo political issues, almost derailed the country from its secular foundations. The ideology, programmes and principles of the RSS are blatantly communal, divisive and contemptuous of the basic precepts that define the ideology of the Constitution of India. A country that cannot faithfully preserve the narrative of its history betrays its succeeding generations. The BJP’s assault on the education system, particularly in the distortion of history, has therefore to be corrected with single-minded devotion of all liberty loving citizens of India.

The AICC believes that highest priority must be accorded to resolving through dialogue and negotiation issues relating to Jammu & Kashmir; Nagaland & Manipur in the North East; and Naxalism, particularly in Tribal belts. Unlike the blind policy pursued by the NDA Government, clarity and consistency must be the bedrock of the search for solutions. The AICC firmly believes and advocates building confidence and finding long term viable solutions to these vexed issues. It is important to be able to provide the people of these regions a peaceful environment, security and law & order to accelerate sustainable development.

The containment of political violence and challenge to elected authority and rule of law in parts of our country has paramount priority. Undoubtedly the consequence of colonial neglect subjected parts of the country to regional imbalance in development. Elements inimical to democracy and our national aspiration, egged on by unfriendly forces across the borders, have sought to impose instability and insecurity that further impedes development and growth. Instability of elected representative bodies adds to the stress on the system. The situation has to be handled on several levels. Dialogue with our estranged compatriots is imperative but in conditions that convince them that dialogue not the gun is the only hope.

The AICC hopes that UPA Government shall be seen by the country as a government that is liberal in thought, united in its purpose, firm in its resolve, and result-oriented in its approach. Under the UPA the power of the State shall never be found wanting in protecting the citizen but the power of the State shall never be misdirected for fulfilling partisan or party political objectives. The nation and the nation alone will be its priority.

The changing face of global economy has not left India untouched. Winds of change are blowing across the country in a manner unimaginable only a few years ago. The AICC recalls how a young Prime Minister, barely in his forties, foresaw this twenty years ago. Rajivji was truly the architect of this new India. As many of his dreams take shape and we rededicate ourselves to his vision of India, there is need to review and reshape the administrative and police structures to make them sensitive and responsive instruments of public service compatible with democratic aspirations of our people. Judicial reforms also require urgent attention to ensure affordable, equitable and speedy access to justice.

The AICC calls upon the UPA government to take the lead in building upon the endeavours and exertions of many generations of Freedom Fighters and the men and women who dedicated themselves at the stroke of the midnight hour of 14-15th August, 1947, to a modern secular India. Despite the trauma of partition Mahatma Gandhi brought together a nation bonded in a common cause for a vibrant, united India. The struggle for Freedom obliterated all barriers amongst our people and made it possible to us to see ourselves as one nation, one people. The process of emotional integration that began in 1857 and culminated in 1947 was sought to be reversed by the BJP. But the Indian nation prevailed over its enemies. The Indian people overcame the attempts to divide them.

Part-II

The last general election was fought on a set of clear choices: between the way of life supported by the Congress and the way of life sought to be imposed on the country by the BJP. The economic dimension of that placed two alternatives – the Congress model of growth with equity and the BJP model of growth at the cost of equity. Whilst the Congress sought greatest economic advancement for the most disadvantaged, the BJP sought to give more opportunity to the advantaged few.

The UPA government has a great challenge in the years ahead to ensure that the neglect of Aam Aadmi is converted into an emphasis on the quality of their life. The process has begun with the recent budget but greater strides have to be taken ahead. Ahove all, empowerment of the Aam Aadmi requires effective devolution to institutions of local self-government. The AICC therefore believes that the following agenda will be the priority of the UPA Government:

• Economic management should ensure that the economy grows at 7-8% per year in a sustained manner. We need job-based growth, not the jobless growth of the ‘feel good’ years.

• Participatory development through effective Panchayati Raj as setout in the Congress Party’s 10th Anniversary Time Bound Action Plan.

• Programmes should enhance the welfare and well being of Kisans, Khet Mazdoors and workers particularly those in the unorganized sector.

• Full equality of opportunity, particularly in education and employment for scheduled castes, scheduled tribes, OBC, religious minorities and women, in as much an economic imperative as a moral obligation. The long awaited 33% reservation for Women must become a reality at the earliest opportunity. Women must have full economic, social and legal equality.

• Immediate enactment of the promised National Employment Guarantee Act, that will provide a legal guarantee for at least 100 days of employment to begin with, to one able-bodied person in every rural, urban poor and lower middle class household. In tandem a massive food-for-work programmes should be put in place.

• The proposed National Commission to examine the problems facing enterprises in the unorganized, informal sector and a National Fund shall for that sector needs to be put in place quickly.

• Revamped functioning of the Khadi and Village Industries Commission (KVIC) and new programmes for the modernization for coir, handlooms, powerlooms, garments, rubber, cashew, handicrafts, food processing, sericulture, wool development, leather, pottery and cottage industries, coupled with investment, credit and technological on priority to agriculture, horticulture, acquaculture, floriculture, afforestation, dairying and agro-processing will significantly address the unemployment problem.

• Expanding credit facilities for small-scale industry and self-employment, and supporting the services industry that has the potential to provide maximum employment.

• The textile industry has to be enabled to meet new challenges imposed by the abolition of quotas under the international multi-fibre agreement in January 2005. Given its special ecological importance and dependence of the eastern region on jute, we need an imaginative policy support the jute industry.

• The AICC appreciates the UPA government’s intention to step up public investment in agriculture, rural infrastructure and irrigation.

• The rural cooperative credit system has to be nursed back to health expediently. The delivery system for rural credit and the burden of debt and high interest rates need to be attended to urgently. Crop and livestock insurance schemes need to be more effective to avert the serious consequences of calamities.

• Productivity in agriculture can be enhanced through a dryland farming in the arid and semi-arid regions of the country. Watershed and wasteland development programmes and water management in all aspects, both for irrigation and drinking purposes, deserve urgent attention.

• It is important that government agencies entrusted with the responsibility for procurement and marketing pay special attention to farmers in poor and backward States and districts and farmers receive fair and remunerative prices.

• The UPA Government should take steps to ensure that outstanding dues of all farmers, particularly sugarcane farmers, should be cleared at the earliest.

• A comprehensive medium-term strategy for food and nutrition security, with the objective of moving towards a universal food security system should be prepared shortly.

• Strengthening the public distribution system (PDS) particularly in the poorest and backward blocks of the country, special schemes to reach foodgrains to the most destitute and infirm, grain banks in chronically food-scarce areas, Antyodaya cards for all households at risk of hunger will have to be taken up on a war footing.

• The States should be pursued to pass legislation conferring ownership rights in respect of minor forest produce, including tendu patta, on people from the weaker sections who work in the forests.

• All reservation quotas, including those relating to promotions should be fulfilled in a time-bound manner.

• The need to balance objectives of economic growth and environmental conservation, particularly in the context of tribal communities dependent on forest wealth and need for development of tribal areas requires scientific study and management with a sense of urgency.

• The overall strategy and programmes for the development of tribal areas to ensure viable livelihood should be given highest priority.

• The issue of affirmative action, including reservations, in the private sector has acquired great urgency. We need to immediately initiate a national dialogue, with all political parties, industry and other organisations to facilitate the private sector fulfilling the aspirations of schedule caste and schedule tribe youth.

• Highest priority must be accorded to the development and expansion of physical infrastructure like roads, highways, ports, power, water supply, sewage treatment and sanitation. Public investment in infrastructure will need to be enhanced, even as the role of private sector is expanded.

• Special attention is needed for augmenting and modernizing rural infrastructure consisting of roads, irrigation, electrification, health care, etc.

• Railways are the core of our infrastructure. Public investment for Rail modernization, track renewal and safety must be substantially increased.

• The UPA government’s plans for comprehensive urban renewal and a massive expansion of social housing in urban and rural areas is a far sighted commitment that deserves full support.

• From time to time, previous governments have announced special economic packages for the North-East, Bihar and J&K. These packages should be implemented expeditiously in order to achieve the salutary objectives intended.

• The National Development Council (NDC) can be an effective instrument of cooperative federalism. Its full potential should be harnessed.

• The Sarkaria Commission had last looked at the issue of Centre-State relations over two decades ago. It is time to set up a new Commission for this purpose keeping in view the sea-changes that have taken place in the polity and economy of India since then.

• Long-pending schemes in specific States that have national significance, like the Sethu Samuthuiram project, flood control and drainage in North Bihar (that requires cooperation with Nepal as well) and Prevention of Erosion in Padma-Ganga and Bhagirithi flood control in West Bengal need to be completed expeditiously.

• Full realization of the aims and objectives of the National Water policy, as setout by Shri Rajiv Gandhi in 1987, including the urgent resolution of problems of water sharing.

• All necessary steps to revive industrial growth and put it on a robust footing, through deregulation, where necessary, incentives to boost private investment and FDI, particularly in areas of infrastructure, high-technology and exports, need to be taken so that local assets and employment are created on a significant scale.

• A major promotional package for the SSI sector needs to be announced soon to reverse the trend of closures forced by global competition.

• Bank Nationalisation during Indiraji’s time had opened up great new economic opportunities for ordinary people of the country. Now competition in the financial sector has to be met by giving banks greater autonomy. Interest rates should provide incentives both to investors and savers, particularly pensioners and senior citizens. Regulation of urban cooperative banks in particular and of banks in general has to be more effective. The social obligations imposed by regulatory bodies on private banks and private insurance companies must be monitored and enforced strictly.

• The welfare and well-being of all workers, particularly those in the unorganized sector who constitute 93% of our workforce would be ensured only with expanded social security, health insurance and other schemes.

• Some changes in labour laws are required but such changes must fully protect the interests of workers and their families and must take place after full consultation with trade unions. A dialogue with industry and trade unions on specific proposals is the need of the hour.

• Labour management relations in our country must be marked by consultations, cooperation and consensus.

• The condition of weavers in the country continues to be a matter of deep concern and requires a renewed effort to make their profession viable and to give them security of livelihood.

• The UPA government is committed to a strong and effective sector whose social objectives are met by its commercial functioning. But of course, there is need for selectivity and a strategic focus. Generally profit-making companies operating on a sustainable basis in an atmosphere of competition should not be privatised.

• Disinvestment/ privatization cannot be a dogma and should be considered on a transparent and consultative case-by-case basis. While every effort should be made to modernize and restructure sick public sector companies and revive sick industry, chronically loss-making companies may either be sold-off or closed, after all workers have got their legitimate dues and compensation.

• Energy security, as setout in National Common Minimum Programme.

The AICC strongly endorses the UPA government’s commitment to economic reforms with a human face that stimulates growth, investment and employment. Reforms in agriculture, industry and services, oriented to rural prosperity, improving the quality of public systems and delivery of public services, to bring a visible and tangible difference in the quality of life of ordinary citizens should be our constant objective. The AICC applauds the Governments emphasis on primary education and health, and calls for necessary reform’s and delivery system.

The AICC expresses satisfaction that the UPA government has been able to secure the WTO agreement that will adequately protect Indian agriculture and industry. India’s quest to be an economic power with a voice in the highest fora cannot overlook that India’s economic success must touch the lives of all our people in a meaningful way. India’s commitment to an efficient global system of trade must be seen in the context of India’s obligation to its poor and disadvantaged and its resolve to free them from poverty and deprivation in our lifetime

Part-III

The UPA government has enabled the return to the national consensus on India’s foreign policy of the past 57 years. Since the attack on the World Trade Towers in New York, international relations have undergone a dramatic change. Nuclear non-proliferation remains a pressing concern but the threat of international terrorism has become very urgent.

India’s foreign policy, born in the crucible of our own freedom movement, is the cumulative product of Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru’s vision, Smt. Indira Gandhi’s courage, Shri Rajiv Gandhi’s energy and the moral backing of the entire nation. Yet it has the flexibility to deal with emerging new developments, threats and challenges. The deteriorating situation in Iraq is reminder of how complex the threat is. The people of Iraq continue to suffer unending violence and disruption of their lives. We share their pain and anguish and expect that their full sovereignty will be restored soon. The slow and torturous reconstruction of the political and physical infrastructure in Afghanistan is a grim reminder of the enormity of the challenge. In this context the need for reform of the United Nations particularly the security council has become more urgent. India’s participation as a permanent member is both necessary and beneficial for and effective global order.

The Congress Party had extended broad support to the last government to deal with the scourge of cross-border terrorism. But cross-border terrorism continues to be a menace, as it is aided and abetted from across the borders. We seem to be dealing with a neighbouring government that has failed or is unable to deliver on its promises. Yet we should continue to have faith in prospects of a dialogue in the spirit of Shimla Agreement and other agreements. The Congress Party had consistently supported the negotiations route to peace with Pakistan. The inconsistent policy of the NDA government had caused the peace endeavour to be directionless. The Congress expects the UPA effort to be consistent and sustained. The Congress Party also underlines the need for utmost vigilance in the matter of containing terrorism from across the border. The Congress party expects renewed efforts to speed up the negotiations under U.N. auspices on the draft Comprehensive Convention on International Terrorism and the Convention for the suppression of acts of Nuclear Terrorism.

The Congress is concerned that efforts for restoring peace and normalcy to Sri Lanka have still not reached fruition. We are committed to the unity and territorial integrity of Sri Lanka, and it is our constant desire that it will be preserved with a just internal constitutional settlement that will safeguard political and civil rights of all the people of Sri Lanka.

The Congress Party believes that relations with Nepal, Bangladesh and Bhutan call for greater attention to consolidate our traditional links and interdependence, particularly in the field of trade, counter terrorism and narcotics.

The vicissitudes of bilateral relations between India and its neighbours adversely affect our commitment to SAARC. The cross-border terrorism issue with Pakistan has had an unavoidable negative impact. The SAARC Ministerial Summit has fortunately given long overdue impetus to regional cooperation. We must continue to support the moves towards a South Asian Free Trade Area. The engagement of China which began with the historic visit of Shri Rajiv Gandhi, helped in reducing areas of conflict and opening up vistas of cooperation with China. That will give us both great advantage and higher stakes in the world trade scenario. The Congress party urges the government to proceed with expedition in enhancing our relationship with China.

The Congress party welcomes the convergence of principles and pragmatism in India-US relations. The world’s two great democracies have an opportunity to together shape a democratic and pluralistic world order, free of terrorism.

India-Russia relations today need a fresh impetus in the context of Indo-Soviet Union Co-operation in the second half of the 20th century. Compelling geo-strategic and economic concerns call for special links between our two countries. A new effort of rediscovery would be most fruitful. Consistent with India’s rejection of unipolarism, India’s interaction with the European Union will inevitably influence the shape of world politics. The Congress Party recommends closer and creative interaction with the EU.

The Congress Party is convinced that greater economic opportunity for the North-East is long overdue and must indeed be an intrinsic part of a lasting and comprehensive solution to the unrest in that region. To this end, regional co-operation within the framework of BIMST-EC (Bangladesh, India, Myanmar, Sri Lanka and Thailand Economic Co-operation) and Mekong Ganga Co-operation has rightly been given the highest priority. India – ASEAN co-operation will open up dramatically new vistas of development.

Improvement in our relations with Israel cannot be at the cost of our traditional support for the legitimate rights of the people of Palestine. Israel and Palestine, both have a right to exist as sovereign nations. India has traditionally been in the vanguard of the moves to ensure a just settlement of the conflict with the establishment of a sovereign Independent State of Palestinians. The Congress believes that India should take the initiative in securing justice to the long-suffering people of the region. A just settlement of the Palestine problem would also go a long way in restoring confidence and peace in Iraq. India’s relations with the major energy suppliers have to be assiduously nurtured. Our traditional Arab friends, with whom we have historical and cultural links and Iran, that seeks a special relationship with India, are all very promising partners for growth. The potential of India’s links with the Central Asian Republics has to be explored more energetically.

India, Africa and Latin America have a shared memory and a common commitment to democracy and development. Pre-occupations closer to home should not distract us from continuing to nurture our relationships with them. Drought and HIV-AIDS in parts of Africa can no longer be seen as someone else’s problem, since we face it ourselves in lesser measure. These scourges must be battled together untiringly.

We reject the concept of a unipolar world. The significance of the Non-Aligned Movement therefore must not be overlooked despite the dramatic changes in the world. Our recent success at the WTO has once again established the urgent need for a reaffirmation of the principles of Non-Alignment, which constitute the proven method of resisting the quest for dominance of a few over many. India has a leadership role in preserving and sustaining the movement that shaped the destiny of the developing world. India must take a lead in reinventing NAM to make it indispensable for addressing issues of international peace and security and the sustainable development agenda of our times.

Shri Rajiv Gandhi’s dream of a nuclear free world remains our constant commitment. The updated Rajiv Gandhi Action Plan for a Nuclear Weapons Free and Non-Violent World Order must not be lost in power politics. India must continue to lead the global campaign for a world without nuclear weapons.

The Congress Party hopes and expects that UPA’s India will be a conspicuous and forthright advocate for peace and justice for all peoples of the globe.