Brain-storming Pachmarhi Camp, Sept., 1998

INAUGURAL ADDRESS OF THE

CONGRESS PRESIDENT

14th September, 1998

Members of the Congress Working Committee, the Chief Minister, delegates, brothers and sisters.

First of all, I welcome you all to this Brainstorming camp.

We have gathered here at a time when our country is passing through severe crisis. We shall sit here together to discuss vital issues concerning our party. We will hold serious deliberations on them.

The Congress party is a great national institution and we all take pride in being part of it. We have to lay stress on how we can bring an awakening into this great organisation. This is our commitment.

I would like camps of this kind to be organised regularly at the national and other levels. We have so much in our lives today, but little scope for looking back; do serious thinking and self-introspection. We need all those three things. We have an opportunity, in this beautiful place, to do some quiet thinking. We must make use of it.

Papers about the issues that will be discussed thoroughly in this camp have been supplied to you. The camp will discuss, specially, the political, agricultural, national, international matters and those concerning the organisation.

In the next three days, besides the discussions, we shall review our activities and make plans for future. We can tackle fast the crisis and hurdles in our way by inducting-freshness in the party.

Our party has been serving the people since the days of Mahatma Gandhi. We should remember what Gandhiji said- political work can be done only by adhering to ideals and morality.

We must remember that programmes, plans and preparations for election always go on in a political party. The party should remain alert about its doctrines, programmes and conduct.

I hope that we will gain a lot from this camp, which will be an achievement for our party. You will recall that five months ago, at a programme in Delhi, I had spoken about inducting a new force and strengthening the party. For this purpose I had constituted a task force.

I am happy to tell you, here today, that the task force has done commendable work. Several of its recommendations have been implemented after their approval in the Congress Working Committee meeting held in Delhi last June.

Some of us often see only the dark side. I have neither the 'all is well' and so 'sit back hand in hand' attitude nor do I see despair and defeat all around.

We must harbour neither of these in our minds. Neither complacence nor pessimism will behove us. We have to look forward to the future. We have to learn from the past, not remain stuck with it.

I can now see a new discipline and goal in our method of working. A beginning has been made to induct a new work-culture in the AICC and the Pradesh Congress Committees. This will go on. No organ of the Congress Party will remain inactive.

New programmes are being given to the frontal organisations. These include both political and social campaigns.

A committee has been constituted for amendments in the party constitution. It has to pay special attention as to how tribals, minorities, backward and women can be given a larger role in the organisation. The committee will soon be submitting its report.

Programmes have been launched to impart training at several levels and giving a boost to the party. This way workers will get new knowledge and also political education.

The conduct and discipline committees have begun their work. I keep myself informed about it.

We have launched a monthly journal called 'Congress Sandesh' from August 15. It will be sent to all members of the PCCs and the AICC. The next issue is devoted to the Pachmarhi's brainstorming session.

Our immediate challenge is the forthcoming Assembly Elections in Madhya Pradesh, Mizoram, Rajasthan and Delhi. Preparations have already begun. The Task Force's programme implementation committee has already interacted at considerable length with the Presidents of these four States. The Committee has also had discussions with the Chiefs of Frontal Organisations and CLP leaders.

The salient points which emerged through these interactions included updating of electoral roll, selection of candidates on merit, preparation of State manifestos at an early date, a comprehensive strategy to be adopted for fighting these elections, appointment of Central observers, publicity etc.

It is becoming clearer day by day that the graph of the Congress Party is going up and that of the BJP-led coalition government is going down.

We are winning the battle of ideas and eventually if we act unitedly and vigorously we will win the full support of our people.

In less than two hundred days, the BJP led coalition has proved its inability to govern India.

There is no evidence of firm and decisive direction in any branch of its activities. The economy is stagnant, inflation is on the rise. Investor's and Business confidence is at an all time low. Foreign policy is in a shambles.

The coalition in Delhi is at war with itself. Internal contradictions are being exposed day by day. The BJP and its allies are speaking with different voices on vital national and international issues. The expansion of the Central Cabinet has been postponed indefinitely, it seems. Our stand of not rushing into bringing this government down has been appreciated all round.

I once again wish to make it clear that as and when the need arises our party will fulfill its constitutional obligations without hesitation and provide stability and purpose. We have never opposed for the sake of opposition. We have highlighted the failures and follies of the government. We will continue to do so.

We have always rejected the fascistic notion of one nation, one culture, one people. We believe that India is one nation, with plural cultures, diverse peoples.

Diversity has deified us for centuries.

Let us not allow political parties to divide us, to inflame religious passions, to ignite caste tensions and to fan regional sentiments.

A divided India cannot survive. A fractured India cannot prosper. An India in which Indian is set against Indian cannot keep its 'tryst with destiny'

The respect for plurality and the celebrations of diversity constitute the very essence of Indian civilization. That essence is under threat. It is only the Congress that can meet this threat effectively.

The people of India have rejected our opponent's vision of India because that vision is both narrow and flawed.

It is the Congress party which under the leadership of Jawaharlal Nehru, Indira Gandhi and Rajiv Gandhi has brought and weaved together sections of society harmoniously. We are the only political party that has not, does not and will not practice the policies of exclusion and the polities of spreading animosities.

The Congress has had a place of dignity and respect for all communities, for all religions, for all languages, for all regions that make up the kaleidoscopic mosaic of India. The Congress Party is being once again called upon to fulfill this role.

Let us now remind ourselves of other important tasks that I would like to be discussed here freely, frankly and responsibly.

First, we must take up the ideological crusade against the communal virus from whatever source it arises and spreads. Religious fundamentalism is alien to our culture but let us not be smug about this. Forces of religious fundamentalism of all kinds are out to destroy this tradition of tolerance and mutual accommodation.

Many of us thought that economic development and progress would roll back the spread of communal ideologies and put an end to the politics of hate. This has clearly not happened.

The question we must ask ourselves is whether we have, in any way diluted our commitment to the fight against communal forces. It would perhaps be tempting to say we have not. However, there is a general perception that we have at times compromised with our basic commitment to the secular ideal that forms the bedrock of our society.

During our deliberations we must all apply our minds to this vitally important question.

Second, we must acknowledge that we have not successfully accommodated the aspirations of a whole new generation of dalits, adivasis and backward people particularly in the northern parts of the country.

Could this be one of the reasons for our decline in states like Uttar Pradesh and Bihar?

Regrettably, we have not paid enough attention to the growth of such sentiments and feelings and consequently have had to pay a heavy price. It is not enough to make promises. The Congress Party must ensure to this section of our people full and equal representation.

Great damage has been done to national-level politics itself on account of our decline in north India particularly. Electoral reverses are inevitable and are, in themselves, not cause for worry. What is disturbing is the loss of our social base, of the social coalition that supports us and looks up to us. What is also worrisome is that Intra-Party discord seems to take up so much of our time and energy when it ought to be canalized for working together to regain popular support and public credibility.

Third, we have a special responsibility for attracting and retaining good people into our fold. Our party must dedicate itself to cleansing public life, we must be a more responsive political force. An effective instrument of social justice.

We are committed to electoral reforms to reduce the role of money and muscle power. We must demand and ensure that an electoral reforms Bill be introduced in the winter session of Parliament.

Similarly, a systematic campaign is called for to enhance the image and the standing of the Congress among special groups in society-among the youth, for example and among the educated sections of society. Already, 60% of India is under the age of 24. We must not alienate ourselves from this vast, growing and dynamic segment of our society. Our programs and policies must be such that they engage and draw the youth to our party. Their concerns must be addressed. It has now become clear that college degrees are not going to solve the problem of educated youth. What we need is education that is job-oriented and we intend to put this into effect when in office.

The Indian freedom movement was dedicated to a purpose and not to a doctrine and the purpose was to eliminate as far as possible, in a pluralistic society, inequalities and caste bias.

The fragmentation of society that we see today in the name of caste is both alarming and distressing. We must categorically reject casteism and we must resist its growth with all our might.

Politics in the last few years has certainly given new identities to disadvantaged groups and has empowered oppressed communities. But we must take the social justice movement into its next phase, into a phase that stresses basic issues of health, education, food, security, nutrition and family planning.

Let us be very clear it is the parliamentary system that is leading to social empowerment and that is giving representation to groups and communities who have been subjugated for centuries. This is as it should be. At the same time, we must also take serious note of the growing sense of frustration with the parliamentary form of government among the thinking and educated sections for our society.

While seeking to understand the roots of this frustration, we must be in the forefront of a campaign that will ensure that the parliamentary form of government is not tampered with in the name of stability. There is nothing permanent about uncertain mandates and coalitions. Society itself is in a state of great transition and flux. To a large extent, shifting alliances in society reflect themselves in changing electoral mandates. We must not jettison these processes in the name of stability. We must also take the lead in championing the cause of electoral reforms, reforms that put the parliamentary form of government on a sounder foundation.

Fourth, we must constantly reinterpret our economic philosophy in the light of changing circumstance, emerging challenges and the experience we gain while implementing policies. Our economic policy will have to be multi-dimensional to meet the needs of our people at various levels. No one dogma, no one formula will cater to the diverse needs of the economy and of our society.

The abolition of poverty within the next 10-15 years must remain our fundamental objective. The assurance of a better quality of life and an improved standard of living to all citizens must remain our primary preoccupation.

Sustaining a higher level of growth in agriculture, industry and other sectors is absolutely essential for abolishing poverty and expanding employment opportunities, it is imperative to control inflation, since inflation hits the poor the hardest.

Expenditure on anti-poverty, rural development and wage employment programmes must increase, as also investments in primary education and public health. But we must also concern ourselves with making these expenditures more effective.

The nation today spends close to Rs. 15,000 core every year on anti-poverty programmes. This is not an insubstantial amount and we must as a political party be in the forefront of a campaign and a movement to ensure that existing programmes, schemes and Yojanas reach those they are intended for.

The Congress Party must also spearhead socio-economic campaigns and movements. We must press for land reforms, put pressure on governments to strengthen Panchayats and Nagarpalikas, and ensure that the public distribution system works to the benefit of the poor. It is not necessary to be in government to make sure that development programmes and schemes are implemented effectively.

I am glad to note that our host State of Madhya Pradesh has been the first to conduct elections to panchayats after the passed of the 73rd Amendment to the Constitution and that administrative and financial powers have been given to almost 30,000 panchayats in the State.

The role of the government at every level has to be redefined in the light of changing circumstances to make it a vehicle of economic change and social transformation. This is the essence of economic reforms. Government expenditure must add to the country's productive investment capacity and must be focused on improving the nation's physical and social infrastructure.

We cannot spend our way to prosperity. Efficiency and productivity in all economic activities is a prerequisite for meeting social goals. The pattern of public expenditure must undergo a fundamental reorientation at both the Centre and in the states to enable us to invest more in poverty alleviation and social development programmes.

Fifth, we have to understand that foreign policy is not something of concern only to diplomats. It affects each and every one of us. It is fundamental to our security, to our standing in the world, to our very sovereignty. It impacts on the economy, on our exports, on our ability to mobilize foreign investment for development. The very financial position of the government is affected by foreign policy.

The world has changed beyond recognition in the last ten years.

It continue to change day by day. India itself faces a whole new world scenario following the recent nuclear tests conducted by it and by Pakistan. We must now consolidate our technological capacities for defence and deterrence avoiding confrontationist or needlessly provocative postures.

Simultaneously, we must endeavour to become part of the international mainstream on disarmament without in any way jeopardising our society's options. India must acquire a leadership role in the international community on the basis of its strengths and its achievements.

Peace with our neighbours is an essential prerequisite. In the matter of a few weeks, the present coalition government destroyed what the Congress had painstakingly achieved over a ten-year period to normalise our relations with China. Our policy towards Pakistan is also confused and unclear. We have made no special efforts to repair our relationship with traditional friends and allies who opposed our nuclear tests.

The Congress Party's greatest asset has been the ability to reinvigorate, modify and adapt itself to suit changing times.

India is passing through a difficult time as it prepares to enter the sixth millennium of its existence as a civilisation. But as I said earlier there is no need for gloom or despair. The Congress Party and the Indian nation have in the past overcome stupendous challenges. We should therefore look to the 21st century with hope and high expectation.

I am confident that India will play a major role in shaping the political, economic, social technological, environmental contours of the coming century.

Let us at Pachmarhi resolve to restore the Congress to its original values of service and sacrifice.

Let us at Pachmarhi resolve to restore to the Congress its ethical and moral foundation.

Let us at Pachmarhi resolve to continue relentlessly in building a new Congress, a Congress that once again represents the hopes and aspirations of a growing number of our people, a Congress that embodies an India marching confidently forward providing prosperity, dignity and pride to all its citizens.

The Pachmarhi Declaration

6th September, 1998

THANKING the Madhya Pradesh Congress Committee, its workers and leaders, and the Chief Minister of Madhya Pradesh for the excellent arrangements made for the Vichar Manthan Shivir (Brainstorming Session) at Pachmarhi.

RECALLING the noble heritage of the Party as bequeathed to it by leaders of the stature of Mahatma Gandhi, Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru, Sardar Patel, Maulana Azad, Subhas Chandra Bose, Rajaji, Acharya Kripalani, Perunthalaivar Kamaraj, Shri Lal Bahadur Shastri, Shrimati Indira Gandhi and Shri Rajiv Gandhi, among others too numerous to name individually.

RE-DEDICATING itself to the ideological sentinels of the Party:

- Democracy, including the strengthening of the Parliamentary system and the promotion of the third tier of governance through the Panchayats and Nagarpalikas, as enshrined in the Constitution;

- Secularism,that is the bedrock of our nationhood, draws its essence from catholicity, humanism and respect for every faith and religious denomination in the world, is consecrated in our Constitution, is the immutable commitment on which our democratic polity rests, and is enshrined in the Congress concept of secularism as defined in the past, the present and will continue into the future;

- Socialism, directed to the task of promoting equity and social justice, based on sustained, balanced and high economic growth, through an mixed economy allied to democratic institutions of governance; and

- Non-alignment, <>as relevant as even in the post-Cold War era to the conservation of our sovereignty, and our relentless struggle to end what Shri Rajiv Gandhi called the "quest for dominance" which regrettably continues to characterise international relations;

HAVING SECURED the approval of the Congress Working Committee,

PROCLAIMS the following Plan of Action and calls upon its workers everywhere in the country and abroad to work tirelessly towards the realisation of these goals and objectives:

A. POLITICAL

1. Scheduled Castes/Scheduled Tribes/Other Backward Classes/Weaker sections of society/Minorities

Notes with dismay the erosion of the affirmative action taken in favour of these sections of society in accordance with the letter and spirit of the Constitution, and

Pledges itself to vigilance and determined steps to:

(a) foretall and oppose any move to dilute reservations, the filling of vacancies, promotions and preference in government employment for these sections, as established by law.

(b) prevent any discrimination against them, ensure their safety and security and insist on stern action in regard to atrocities inflicted on them, especially their womenfolk;

(c) remove distortions and discrepancies that have crept into the implementation of policies in respect of education, subsidies and assistance in economic and poverty alleviation programmes;

(d) ensure full representation for these sections at all echelons of the Party;

(e) vigoriously pursue the 15 point programme for the Minorities as enunciated by Shrimati Indira Gandhi and reformulated by Shri Rajiv Gandhi;

(f) resolve the Babri MAsjid issue expenditiously according to the law and ensure the rigorous observance of the Places of Worship Act which guarantees the status of all places of worship as they stood on Independence Day 1947.

(g) unflinchingly meet the challenge of the communal forces as represented by the BJP and its associates in the Sangh Parivar, such as the RSS, the VHP, and the Bajrang Dal, and those outside, such as the Shiv Sena, with no compromise or dilution of the will-established principles and practice of secularism, defined and evolved by the party as crucial to our nationhood.

2. Women

Regrets the failure of the Government to introduce the Constitution (84th Amendment) Bill, as prepared by Parliament's Joint Select Committee, and seeks its passage at the next session of Parliament on the basis on a broad based consensus among all political parties;

Commits itself to the substantial enhanced representation of women at all echelons of the Party organisation and in the distribution of tickets for elections to the State Assemblies and Parliament.

3. Youth

Notes that 60 percent of the electorate is below the age of 30.

Recognisesthe crucial importance of the empowerment of youth as we move into the next millennium:

Underlinesthe necessity of

- being sensitive to their concerns and relevant to their aspirations,

- involving them in the work of the Party,

- ensuring adequate representation for them in the Party organisation and effective positions.

- and thus rejuvenating itself at the springs of youth, as it has repeatedly done over the last 113 years.

4. Population Control

Notes with concern the inadequacy of attention to the question of voluntary population control;

Decides to make this a key element of the Party programme;

Decides accordingly that any party member who becomes the parent of more than two children after the 1st January, 2000 would be ineligible for selection or election to any Party office or for selection as a Party candidate for any election.

5. Proposed Review to the Constitution

Notes the proposal to establish a Commission to review the Constitution;

Expresses it apprehensions regarding the ulterior motives of those piloting this wholly unnecessary proposal at present;

Stresses that the basic structure of the Constitution, including its essential secularism and the Parliamentary system, cannot be altered; and

Calls upon the Government to hold prior consultations with all political parties before taking any decisions on this issue.

6. Electoral Reforms

Decides to appoint a committee to examine electoral reforms with special reference to curbing the use of money and muscle power in elections.

7. Coalitions

Affirms that the Party considers the present difficulties in forming one-party governments a transient phase in the evolution of our polity;

Pledges to restore the Party to its primacy in national affairs;

Decides that coalitions will be considered only when absolutely necessary and that too on the basis of agreed programmes which will not weaken the Party or compromise its basic ideology.

8. National Water Policy

Considers continuing and unresolved disputes over the sharing of river waters a matter of serious concern which impinges upon the progress of the country and even its unity;

Recalls the contribution of Shri Rajiv Gandhi to the elaboration of a National Water Policy;

Decides to accord high priority to the evolution of a policy which will treat river waters as a national asset to be used and developed as a national grid for the welfare of all its people.

9. North-East

Notes with anguish the growing alienation of a section of the people of the North-East from the national mainstream owing to inadequate development;

Resolves to restore priority to the North-East in Party matters and the governance of the nation as it was when the Congress was in office at the centre.

10. Jammu & Kashmir

Views with deep concern the developing situation in the State of Jammu & Kashmir;

Expresses its deep sympathy with the innocent families who have been the tragic victims of militant activities and cross border terrorism; and

Resolves to ensure that there is no erosion in the secular traditions of the State as secularism has always been the binding and motivating force in the State to which the Congress has consistently contributed since Independence.

11. Uttar Pradesh, Bihar and Tamil Nadu

Notes with concern the weakening of the Party in the States of Uttar Pradesh, Bihar and Tamil Nadu; and

Decides to accord the highest priority to the revival and renewal of the Party in these States.

12. Jain Commission of Inquiry - follow up

Expresses its profound concern at the failure of the agencies concerned to investigate the remaining leads identified by the Jain Commission, which have been pointedly brought to the attention of the Government by the Party and which the Government have committed themselves to fully investigating through the proposed Multi Disciplinary Monitoring Agency (MDMA)

Resolves not to rest till the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth about the dastardly assassination of its beloved leader, Shri Rajiv Gandhi, and the conspiracy, if any, behind. It, is fully and completely revealed, and the guilty parties, whoever they are, punished under the law of the land.

B. FOREIGN POLICY

Decides, to establish, as recommended, two Working Groups within the AICC's Department of Foreign Affairs to deal respectively with.

a. monitoring and preparing policy options on matters related to our neighbourhood, especially with a view to maintaining a sustained dialogue with our neighbours and servicing the Party-to-party relations which the Party intends to promote with political parties in neighbouring countries;

b. updating and rendering into treaty language the Action Plan for a Nuclear-Weapons-free and Non-violent World Order presented by Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi to the Third Special Session of the UN General Assembly on disarmament in 1988, to serve as a basis for discussions between the Party and its interlocutors on global nuclear Issues;

Directs the chairman of the Foreign Affairs Department to take steps towards sending high-powered Party delegations to China and South Africa, as recommended by the Group;

Cautions the Government against taking any precipitate decisions and accending to the CTBT, keeping in mind that no final decisions are called for over the next 12 months and that, in any case, the decision will have to be taken in consultation with all political parties;

Calls for the restoration of the national consensus on foreign policy, disrupted by the BJP-led Government.

C. ECONOMIC AFFAIRS

Reassert its commitment to socialism and the socialistic pattern of society as spelled out at Avadi in 1955 and in subsequent resolutions of the Party;

Appreciates the remarkable recovery and impressive economic achievements secured through the reforms of the period 1991-96;

Deplores the squandering of that legacy by successive governments since the Congress demitted office in May 1996;

Reaffirms that the removal of poverty and the empowerment of the poor as effective partners in the growth process is the essence of the Party's economic policy;

Stresses the importance of redefining the role of Government at all levels to make it a more effective instrument of economic change and social transformation.

Commits itself to programmes aimed at the realisation of growth rates of 7%-8% per annum on average through the mixed economy model, adjusted pragmatically to meet the ends of growth with social justice;

Underlines the inescapable importance of conserving the environment to ensure sustainable development;

Demands the control of inflation and the dampening of inflationary expectations;

Urges the revival of investment and employment opportunities through policies that promote savings, productive investment, physical and social infrastructure, productivity and competitiveness, protection to industry against unfair external competition through an effective anti-dumping regime, and effective social security safety nets;

Commits itself to the direct transfer of funds to the Panchayats and Nagarpalikas for anti-poverty programmes in rural and urban areas;

Commits itself also to the reform of the educational system, in particular vocational education, to deal with the priority problem of educated unemployment among youth;

Assures the better targeting of subsidies for the poor, the needy and the disadvantaged, which will be continued and strengthened;

Agrees with the need to persist with a significant role for the public sector but equally with the need to make these viable and genuinely autonomous; and

Draws attention to the challenges posed by growing urbanization and calls for special programmes to improve the quality of life in town and cities;

Emphasises the importance of financial sector reforms, strengthening the small scale sector, energy supplies in all forms, and the centrality of agriculture and rural development in economic policy.

D. AGRICULTURE, RURAL DEVELOPMENT AND PANCHAYATI RAJ

Adopts the 35-point Programmes of Action for Agriculture, supplemented by six additional points, as recommended by the Group, dealing, inter alia, with larger outlays for agriculture and agriculture-related activities by the public, private and cooperative sectors; ant status of industry to agriculture; water management, including watershed management and a National Water Policy and National Grid for river waters; prevention of fragmentation and sub-division of land holdings combined with the vigorous implementation of land reforms and the maintenance of records of rights of proprietors, tenants and sharecroppers; assured supply of fertilizer, appropriate pesticides and quality seeds; cooperative credit and reasonable rates of interest within the capacity of farmers to pay; bank pass books and credit cards for access to credit; the targeting of agricultural subsidies to farmers not industrial suppliers; comprehensive crop insurance; horticulture and aquaculture; dryland and arid areas technology missions, including urgent attention to nascent problems in the cultivation of oil-seeds; agribusiness; exports of agricultural produce; the urgent passage of the Sui Generis Bill; the end of all harassment to farmers; and the elaboration and adoption of a National Agriculture Policy, etc.

Further adopts the 14 point Programmes of Action for Panchayat Raj, supplemented by one additional point, as recommended by the Group, dealing, inter alia, with the finances of the Panchayats in the light of recommendations by the State Finance Commissions and the terms of reference of the Eleventh Finance Commission with regard to the sound finances of the panchayats; the imperative need to elect and establish District Planning Committees, as provided for in the 74th Amendment, to serve as the foundation for the elaboration of the Ninth Five-Year Plan; the effective devolution of the functions delegated to the panchayats in pursuance of the Eleventh Schedule to the Constitution and subsequent State Legislation, including the need to establish a nexus between the functions devolved upon elected local authorities and the funds, as well as administrative and technical personnel, made available to them to carry out these functions; effective and active Gram Sabhas to ensure that Power to the Panchayats becomes Power to the People, as attempted by the Congress Government of Madhya Pradesh through its Panchayat Raj System and its Rajiv Gandhi Missions; free and fair elections, etc.

Pledges the Congress to taking all necessary action to ensure strict adherence to the letter and spirit of Part IX of the Constitution, conceived by Shri Rajiv Gandhi and brought to realisation by the Congress.

E. ORGANISATIONAL MATTERS

Approves the proposal to establish a Congress Election Authority, composed of eminent, impartial and highly respected senior Congress leaders to ensure free and fair elections at all levels of the Party;

Approves also the short-term and long-term Programmes of Action proposed by the Group for immediate implementation by the Party at all levels within the prescribed time-frames; and

Transmits to the Congress Constitution Review Committee the suggestions made by the Group for strengthening the Party organisation and its frontal organisations, including relations with INTUC.

F. CONCLUSION

Under the leadership of Shrimati Sonia Gandhi,

Commits itself to becoming again the Party of the brightest and the best, a Party of principles and ideology, a Party of ethics in polities; and thereby

Entitled to primacy in the country's polity as the Party which mirrors the hopes and aspirations of the millions of downtrodden and dispossessed of this country.

Vichar Manthan Shivir

Pachmarhi - 4-6 September 1998

CONCLUDING REMARKS

By Smt. Sonia Gandhi, Congress President

on 6-9-1998

<>Friends:

We have had a most pleasant, stimulating and refreshing three days at Pachmarhi. On your behalf I thank Digvijay Singhji and his team for making our stay here so comfortable. I also with to thank Nawal Kishore Sharmaji and his colleagues in the Coordination Committee for having organised this Shivir in such a fine manner. Hundreds of Congress workers have toiled day and night to make our Shivir a success. My thanks to them as will to the residents of Pachmarhi who had helped us as guests for four days, I can only say-expect us to come back.

I wish we could have stayed longer not just for the Chintan and the Manthan but certainly to enjoy Pachmarhi as it should be enjoyed.

You have all heard from the Chairman of the five groups. You have also read the reports of the five groups.

The reports show that the discussions have been free and frank.

The reports show that there has been debate, there has been introspection, there has been refraction and there has been a tremendous sense of participation.

This augurs will but let me hasten to add that Pachmarhi is just the beginning.

We should endeavour to make such Shivirs an annual feature at the National and State level, not to routineise them but to give ourselves the opportunity of pausing once in a while and of reviewing where we are and where we are headed.

We will ensure that future Shivirs will bring in more young men and women.

Friends, the Congress represents like no other political party does, the diversity and plurality of India.

That is why we should not even aim for unanimity on all issues. Differences are inevitable and indeed even desirable.

But I believe that a consensus has been reached on a large number of political, economic, agricultural, foreign policy and organisational issues at this Shivir. I congratulate the Chairman of the five groups for having crafted such a consensus which has all the elements of durability in it. There is really no fundamental differences amongst us. There are differing viewpoints, there are differing perspectives. But there is really no basic conflict. The Shivir has conclusively established this.

In the last three days, I sensed an atmosphere and ambience of team spirit. This is most encouraging and needs to be sustained. I cannot stress enough the absolute essentiality of unity and discipline in the Party at all levels, including among top leaders. If we are united, nothing can stop us and we will meet any threat, overcome any obstacle and win any battle.

I am sure we will rise to the occasion. I am sure we will work cohesively transcending narrow personal interest and keeping the larger good of the Congress and the country in mind.

I do not with to repeat the ideas and the issues we have been discussing in details these past few days.

However, allow me to recall some of the main tasks that form part of our agenda for rebuilding the Congress.

We will take up the ideological crusade against communalism of all kinds and from whatever source it emanates.

We will work tirelessly to recapture our political and social base in the vital states of Uttar Pradesh and Bihar. West Bengal, and Tamil Nadu will also receive special attention.

We will give adequate representation to a whole new generation of Dalits, Adivasis, Backward classes and minorities in our Party organisation at all levels particularly women.

We will revitalise the Party organisation at the national, state, district, block and village level and inject into it dynamism that is sustained in the service of the people.

We