Cadre First, Leaders Later: Rahul at Congress Plenary Session
The Congress hinted at a possible alliance with “like-minded parties” ahead of the 2019 general elections.
Steering Committee Meets Ahead of Congress Plenary Session
Rahul Gandhi will present the party's vision and the way forward at the Congress Plenary session.
A meeting of the Congress Steering Committee was held at the Constitution Club of India in Delhi on 16 March, in the presence of Rahul Gandhi, Sonia Gandhi, former PM Manmohan Singh and other senior Congress leaders.
The plenary session is expected to set the tone for the party's poll strategy in the Lok Sabha and state Assembly elections where it seeks to oust the BJP from power, reported PTI.
Congress spokesperson Randeep Surjewala told ANI:
An inaugural session would be addressed by Rahul Gandhi on 17 March.
Since the Steering Committee will cease to exist after the plenary session, the new Working Committee (CWC) of the party will also be put in place soon.
There was no confirmation on whether the CWC would be formed during the session or after, but sources said it won't be an elected body and the party chief will select his own team, it was further reported by PTI.
(With inputs from PTI and ANI)
Congress Plenary Session to Set the Tone For 2019
Sources told PTI that the party will adopt four resolutions – one each on the political situation, the economic front and the foreign affairs, besides a separate one on agriculture, unemployment and poverty alleviation. The party will highlight its vision on each sphere and compare it with the current situation.
Rahul Gandhi Welcomes Delegates
In a tweet on Saturday morning, Rahul Gandhi welcomed delegates and other guests to the Congress Plenary session.
Rahul Gandhi's Twitter Handle Renamed
The official Twitter account of Congress Party president Rahul Gandhi has been renamed @RahulGandhi from the former @OfficeOfRG.
Rahul, Sonia, Manmohan at Plenary Session
Among others, Sonia Gandhi, Manmohan Singh and Meira Kumar arrived at the Indira Gandhi Stadium in Delhi for the Congress Plenary session on the morning of 17 March.
2019 Vision Plan Will Be Talking Point: Priyanka Chaturvedi
Congress spokesperson Priyanka Chaturvedi told The Quint that the queries of the party workers will be heard and the motto of ‘change is now’ will be propagated.
She also said that the agenda and vision plan for 2019 will be the talking point.
Congress Is India's Future, Says Rahul Gandhi
In his opening address at the 84th Congress Plenary session, Rahul Randhi said the symbol of the Congress was the only one “that can unite the nation and take it forward”. The Congress president accused the ruling BJP of using anger as a weapon.
Congress Party Belongs to Everyone Who Lives in the Nation: Kharge
Addressing party members at the Congress plenary session, Mallikarjun Kharge said that the Congress party belongs to everyone living in this country. He said that it was democracy that brought PM Modi to power but, ironically, his government itself has become a threat to democracy.
Congress Releases Political Resolution
The Congress’ ‘political resolution’, that was released on 17 March, touched upon a number of factors – including women empowerment and soaring unemployment rates.
In the resolution, the Congress demanded the return of the practice of paper ballots, alleging a feeling of “apprehension among political parties and people over misuse of Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) to manipulate outcome contrary to popular verdict”
PM Is Intolerant, Arrogant: Congress in Political Resolution
Excerpts from the Congress’ political resolution:
- Women empowerment: While reaffirming its support for women’s reservation in Parliament and legislatures, the Congress demands that the government bring women’s reservation bill in parliament for passage and implementation before the 2019 General Election.
- Youth: The plenary session indicts the BJP government of betraying the youth of India by not fulfilling the promised two crore jobs every year. The government not only failed to create jobs but through its decisions l, India lost millions of jobs in MSME and informal sector.
- Atrocities against Dalits, Adivasis and Minorities: Minorities in the BJP rule have a general fear of insecurity. In a country where the Constitution guarantees freedom. It is unacceptable for the people to be told what to eat and what to wear. Congress remains committed to ensure the safety of all minorities as equal citizens and to protect their fundamental rights.
- RSS-BJP: The prime minister and the BJP government are intolerant of any criticism and remain in arrogant denial. The RSS-BJP is misrepresenting, distorting and misusing religion to exploit the sentiments of the people and capture political power. The toxic mix of religion and politics poses a challenge to our pluralistic society and inclusive democracy. RSS which claims to be a social and cultural organisation, masquerades as sole representative of the Hindus.
Rahul Will Be PM in 2019: Siddaramaiah
Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, while addressing party members at the Congress Plenary Session, said that nobody can stop Rahul Gandhi from becoming the Prime Minister of the country in 2019.
Sonia Gandhi Takes a Selfie
Sonia Gandhi took a candid selfie at the 84th Congress Plenary session. A picture shared by the Congress’ twitter account was captioned, “ Smt Sonia Gandhi sends a quick selfie and lots of love to all Congress men and women from the #CongressPlenary”
Congress leader Mallikarjun Kharge also took a selfie “summing up” the mood in Congress plenary.
Have You Fulfilled Promises Made to Farmers?: Rahul Asks PM
Rahul Gandhi in a tweet attacked PM Modi over ‘unfullfiled promises’ to farmers and demanded a raise in the support price.
Congress Will Keep Exposing Government's Lies: Sonia Gandhi
Sonia Gandhi, while addressing party members at the Congress Plenary session accused the Modi government of weakening and ignoring the schemes and programs implemented during the UPA regime.
She also said that the Congress party was dedicated towards exposing the government’s fraud and lies using proofs. She said that PM Modi and his ministers are drunk on power.
She also stressed upon the importance of strengthening the party. She also spoke about the strength of alliance with like-minded parties.
Bangladesh PM Sends Her Best Wishes for Plenary
Bangladesh PM Sheikh Hasina recalled the “extraordinary support” extended to Bangladesh by former prime minister Indira Gandhi and has sent her best wishes for the 84th Plenary Session of the Congress.
Centre Has Replaced Swaminathan Committee With ‘Jumlanathan Committee’: Surjewala
Congress spokesperson Randeep Surjewala said that the Modi government has betrayed farmers like no one else has.
BJP Responds to Sonia's Speech
Responding to UPA Chairperson Sonia Gandhi’s address in the Congress plenary session, BJP spokesperson Sambit Patra said that her agenda was to promote the Gandhi family.
Watch: AICC Plenary Session Day One Roundup
PM Carried His Own Propaganda: Anand Sharma
On the second day of the 84th Congress Plenary Session, senior leader Anand Sharma said, “The Narendra Modi government has disrupted India's foreign policy. In the last four years they have made this a divisive policy. They have pursued this in a cavalier manner, non-serious manner.”
“The PM is carried away by his own propaganda. Today it is a matter of concern that we have mismanaged our relations with major capitals of the world, with major strategic partners and our immediate neighbourhood,” Sharma said.
Congress Releases It's Foreign Policy Resolution
Releasing it’s foreign policy resolution on day two of the Congress plenary session in New Delhi on Sunday, 18 March, the Grand Old Party of India criticised the Narendra Modi government’s foreign policy, especially with the neighbouring countries of Pakistan and China.
“There is is a disturbing increase in hostile actions, including shelling by Pakistani Armed Forces along our borders and the LoC.
“Confronting cross-border terrorism with robust security response, has enjoyed across the board national consensus. Regrettably, this is being undermined by the government by making policiy towards Pakistan a divisive domestic issue,” the foreign resolution.
On China, the Congress said, “Our approach to China must not be only marked with pragmatism, but also realism. It should remain our endeavour to work for peaceful resolution of all outstanding issues.”
Manmohan Singh Addresses Congress Plenary Session
Addressing fellow Congress members at the 84th Plenary Session in New Delhi on Sunday, 18 March, former prime minister Mamohan Singh attacked the Narendra Modi government for not living up to the “jumla” promises that the BJP made during election campaigns.
Quoting the Economic Survey report, the former PM said agricultural growth has been stagnant since the last four years, adding that Modi’s agricultural promises are "jumla type statements.”
He also said that the Modi government has mismanaged the Kashmir problem like never before. “The situation in Jammu and Kashmir is deteriorating day in and day out... due to cross-border terrorism or internal terrorism,” Singh said.
When it comes to India’s relationship with Pakistan, Singh suggested that the two countries sit together peacefully to discuss their ties. India should let Pakistan know that it will not tolerate the the cross-border terrorism.
CWC Authorises Rahul to Pick Apex Body Members
The Congress, on its second day of its plenary session, unanimously passed a resolution at its plenary session, authorising party president Rahul Gandhi to choose members of the new working committee.
Senior Congress leader Ghulam Nabi Azad moved a resolution, proposing that the new party chief selects his own team of the working committee, the highest decision-making body of the party.
Azad earlier asked the delegates whether there should be an election for the working committee, an idea which was outrightly rejected by them.
The Congress president will have to set up a new CWC in place of the steering committee which was formed after the working committee was dissolved by him.
The working committee will be established after the plenary session.
Former Finance Minister P Chidambaram Presents Economic Proposal
Former finance minister P Chidambaram, while presenting the economic proposal of the party, said:
He also spoke about the current phase of economic growth, while also strongly condemning demonetisation:
Chidambaram also claimed that it was the Modi government that had pushed people into poverty.
Amid Loud Cheers, Navjot Singh Sidhu Takes Stage
Amid loud cheers, cricketer-turned-politician Navjot Singh Sidhu took stage at the 84th Congress Plenary Session in New Delhi. He advised Rahul Gandhi to embrace Congress workers who can help him hoist the national flag from The Red Fort in 2019.
Owing to his natural sense of humour, he chuckled at Manmohan Singh and said, “Aap Sardaar bhi hai, Asaardar bhi.”
Congress President Rahul Gandhi Delivers the Closing Speech at Party's 84th Plenary Session
While delivering the closing speech at the 84th Congress Plenary session, party president Rahul Gandhi began his address by attacking Amit Shah, saying “no murder accused will ever be Congress President” and went on to allege that Modi had gone far beyond peddling ‘jumlas’ to tell blatant lies to the Indian public.
Gandhi said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi was not fighting corruption but was "corruption himself" and under him, the country is controlled by "corrupt and powerful".
Referring to the former Indian Premier Leagure (IPL) chairman Lalit Modi and diamond jeweller Nirav Modi, who are accused in different cases of fraud, he said that "Modi gives Modi Rs 30,000 crores of your money and in turn, Modi gives Modi money for marketing Modi and fighting elections".
Recalling the two warring sides of the epic Mahabharat, Congress president Rahul Gandhi today said the BJP, like the Kauravas, fought for power, while his party, on the lines of the Pandavas, battled for truth.
Taking a potshot at BJP President Amit Shah without naming him he said: "They (the BJP) will accept a person with a murder charge as their party President."
Gandhi also alleged that the "BJP is a voice of an organisation" while the "Congress is the voice of the nation".
“They told Gauri Lankesh and Kalburgi, question us and you will die. They tell our honest businessman to shut up and allow corrupt officers to extort their hard earned money. They tell our farmers to work for nothing,” he continued.
He also admitted that the last Congress govt was not able to stand up to the expectations of the people. He said, “I don't say it with happiness but the last govt we formed did not stand up to the expectations of the people. The people of the country were let down by us.”
He continues, “The PM diverts our attention and jumps from one event to another from Gabbar Singh tax to yoga in Parliament but never talks about the issues. But, the Congress cannot be stopped from seeking the truth and justice.”
Taking a jibe at the Rashtriya Swayamsewak Sangh (RSS), the Congres leader said: "(Mahatma) Gandhi spent 15 years in jail and died for the nation. But India must never forget that while our leader slept on the floor in jail, (Vinayak Damodar) Savarkar wrote a letter to the British begging for mercy and clemency," he added.
Gandhi also said that the trend of ‘parachuting leaders’ to contest on a Congress ticket or denying a ticket to a hard working party worker who did not have the money to fund his campaign, will now stop.
Delivering the closing remarks at the 84th Plenary of the Congress party, Rahul Gandhi launched a blistering attack on Prime Minister Modi and laid out a roadmap for the party ahead of 2019.
As for the internal functioning of the party, he did not mince words when he said it was time to break the walls between party workers and its leaders.
- The 84th Congress Plenary Session concludes with the party president Rahul Gandhi making scathing attacks on the Modi government an outlining a roadmap for party restructuring before 2019 elections.
Catch all the live updates from the Congress Plenary session.
BJP Leaders Hit out at RaGa's Speech
Congress President Rahul Gandhi’s concluding speech at the 84th Congress Plenary Session drew flak from the senior leadership of the BJP government.
Giving a point-by-point rebuttal of Gandhi's speech, senior BJP leader and Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman termed his address as the "rhetoric of a loser" and "devoid of substance."
In an apparent reference to the Congress stand on the issue of construction of a Ram temple at the disputed site in Ayodhya, Sitharaman said, "The party which questioned the fundamental existence of Shri Ram today wants to identify itself with Pandavas," Sitharaman said,
Taking on Gandhi over his attempt to link Modi with fugitives Nirav Modi and Lalit Modi, she termed it as "a fake narrative".
Hitting back at the Congress chief over his attack on Amit Shah, Sitharaman said that it was astonishing that the Congress president chooses to make allegations against the BJP chief even though he has been cleared by a court.
"Gandhi himself is out on bail in Herald case, whereas our party President Amit Shahji, has been cleared by court," she said.
Union HRD Minister and senior BJP leader Prakash Javadekar also attacked Gandhi’s speech and said, he should apologise for his party's misdeeds first and then attack Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
"While accusing Modi government he forgets that Congress did worst of genocide of Sikhs, they brought censorship in media and are known for all kinds of corruption and scams. He should first apologise for all that," Javadekar said.
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