Analysis

Sonia Gandhi Shows the Way

Dr. Ravni Thakur

The AICC session 2004 was dedicated to the memory of Shri Rajiv Gandhi, who would have been sixty years old this year. Fate, sadly, denied him his rightful place at the head of the Congress Party, back in power after 8 years. Without doubt however, it is his vision that shines through the new India and a newly rejuvenated Congress Party. Today, it is his wife Smt. Sonia Gandhi who has led the Congress Party to victory and set it on the path of completing Shri Rajiv Gandhi’s vision.

Smt. Gandhi has set many a new precedent in her tenure as Congress President. Chief amongst these, her putting the interests of the Party ahead of any thought for personal or executive power. Her aim is to fine tune the Party organisation and turn it into a fit and fighting machine. The main issue raised by her during her address to the delegates once again reflected her commitment to rejuvenating the Party. Her first emphasis was on the importance of our grassroot workers. They are the real nuts and bolts of our Party and like Smt. Gandhi pointed out, our first priority is to make our workers feel and understand their importance. Like she said in her closing address, "If less time had been spent on praising each other we could have had more speakers."

Smt. Gandhi in her speech pointed out the Congress Party’s commitment to the goals and ideals of its founders. Chief amongst this is respect for our Constitution and its fundamental principles. This includes secularism and respect for the law of the land. Smt. Gandhi hit out at the BJP for failing to play its role as a responsible opposition, thereby undermining the authority and sanctity of Parliament. She also reiterated the Party’s commitment to coalition politics. She pointed out how the Congress’s aim is to take all the secular forces along with it and present a united front against the communal and divisive politics of the BJP and its allies. Smt. Sonia Gandhi also reiterated the Party’s commitment to the goals outlined in the Congress manifesto. Smt. Gandhi also pointed out the necessity of ensuring that the secular fabric of our country is not disturbed either in our educational curricula or in the daily governance of the country. Smt. Gandhi, has by her own example, taught our Party the meaning of loyalty to the Party. She has enthused our workers to dedicate themselves once again to the cause of the Party and not run after power.

The AICC session highlighted the aims and achievements of the Congress Party. It also set forth the goals and aims of the Party for the coming years. This was clearly articulated in the speeches of our Prime Minister, Dr. Manmohan Singh and in the address of our Party President, Smt. Sonia Gandhi. The Prime Minister pointed out the government’s commitment to provide good governance and ensure that the UPA coalition government fulfilled the Common Minimum Programme. The government is committed to ensure that its election manifesto is implemented to the fullest. This keeps the interests of the Common Man at the center and will ensure that policy planning follows the guidelines laid down in the Common Minimum Programme. The Prime Minister also spoke of the urgent need to combat inflation and pointed out how the escalating price of oil in the international market was largely responsible for the rise in inflation. He was also firm about how the resources of the nation, such as water, belonged to the nation as a whole and not to any one province alone. Dr. Manmohan Singh, like Smt. Gandhi said, is not only an experienced politician he is also one of our finest administrators and economists. His executive skills enhance the country’s governance and also allows Smt. Gandhi to concentrate on Party affairs. This separation of the executive from the political is one of the best things that happened to the Party. It allows our Prime Minister to run the affairs of the country on a day-to-day basis and leaves our Party president free for Party-related work.

The other leaders of the party who spoke at the AICC session further outlined Shri Rajiv Gandhi’s main aims. His aims for Panchayati Raj, his vision for making India a technological and knowledge center. His vision of India’s foreign policy based on the principles enunciated by Nehruji. These and many other elements of the Congress vision and its aims for the nation were all highlighted by our senior leaders.

The sessions of the AICC have always been a forum for Party workers and delegates to articulate their opinions and their grievances. This AICC session lived up to its reputation. The evening session gave a chance for delegates from the floor to voice their opinions. Here again, we must learn from Smt. Gandhi’s example. The Party and its ideals will and must remain more important. The principle must be adhered to whether the Party forms the government or finds itself in opposition. Our ultimate loyalty lies to the nation and to the Congress party. A nation built on principles of equality, secularism and hope. A nation that dreams of a better future for its youth. The Congress Party enshrines the best of democratic experience and a history that spans more than a hundred years. We are proud that today our Party is led by Smt. Gandhi who more than any one else embodies the spirit and ideals of our Party.