LET US REALISE OUR DREAMS - Sonia Gandhi

Excerpts of the concluding remarks of the Congress President, Smt. Sonia Gandhi, at the meeting of the All India Congress Committee, held on August 21

RAHUL GANDHI IS AICC CO-OPTED MEMBER Lucknow: Shri Rahul Gandhi, MP from Amethi, has been appointed ‘co-opted’ member of the All India Congress Committee from Uttar Pradesh. The UPCC chief spokesperson, Shri Akhilesh Pratap Singh said here on 18 August. As a co-opted member, Shri Rahul Gandhi will be eligible to participate in discussions in the crucial decision-making session of the AICC Delhi conclave, Shri Singh said.

The day-long discussion is concluding today. A lot of view points have come before us. I have listened to all of them and I myself have taken down a lot of points. I know many people among you want to speak but, as you yourself can understand, it was not possible. The people, who do not get opportunity at this time, it is hoped, would get next time.

When I talked to you in the morning, I spoke about taking up some programmes for the party, and the frontal organisations. I am hopeful that our AICC and PCC office-bearers will soon make a time-toll for the programmes accordingly and will implement it.

We all listened to the Prime Minister’s viewpoints. He told us in details about the priorities and programmes of the UPA government in different areas. There was a suggestion that we should pay special attention to certain programmes and plans. We should make our contribution, so that we can say truthfully that these are our achievements. I am in agreement with this suggestion and I will have further discussion in this regard with the Prime Minister.

An another suggestion was that the party should mobilize the elected representatives of the Panchayat Raj and give them training. I am in agreement with this. There should be an organisation called Rajiv Gandhi Panchayati Raj Organisation in the party. I will consider this suggestion.

As Vilasraoji had pointed out, we have to make sure that the rights of Smt. Sarpanch will not be used by Shriman Sarpanch. More than ten lakh sisters, who are representing Panchayats, should get their full rights. There should be legal action against those who create obstacles in this regard.

I also said in the morning that we should pay special attention to the party membership. We have to link at every level all the sections of society, specially the weaker sections to the party. Some comrades have talked about paying special attention to the youth. It is obvious that our organisation will become stronger if we make more and more youths joint the organisation. As many as new faces should be seen in AICC, PCC, DCC and BCCs. Our endeavour should be that whosoever joins the party, like a true Congressman, not only takes part in its programme but also makes his contribution.

The youths, who come from well-established political families or from prosperous families, get some extra benefits automatically. Our attempts should be to encourage the youths, who hail from the common families. They should be given more opportunities to make progress in the areas of political-socio life and specially in the party organisation.

I have always tried to take the side of the party activists, who put forth their viewpoints honestly. I became the Congress President six years ago. I said at that time that we should do what we say, and we should speak what we do. The biggest testimony to honesty is the unity between the words and the deeds.

It is a good thing to speak freely for the welfare of the party, but along with freedom of expression there are certain limitations and responsibilities attached with it. The worker, who finds himself able and devoted, must feel this.

We began the day by remembering Rajivji. While leaving the ‘Rajiv Gandhi Nagar’, we have to take a pledge that it is our duty to work as per the dreams and ideals of Rajiv Gandhi, for which cause he sacrificed his life.

With these words, I heartily congratulate all of you, Delhi Pradesh Congress, chief minister Sheila Dixitji, her colleagues, party workers and all other people, who cooperated in making this successful.