*CWC decision on Rahul final: Sonia
NEW DELHI, Jan 17: Anointed the campaign chief, a combative Rahul Gandhi sought to enthuse the demoralised Congress cadre for the Lok Sabha polls and attacked Narendra Modi over his ‘Congress-free India’ pitch and “divisive” politics.
At the day-long AICC session here, Rahul and Sonia Gandhi targeted BJP, with the Congress President saying the country was facing the “biggest threat” from “communal forces and their ideology” which cannot be tolerated.
Rahul accused the BJP of “lighting fires of communal hatred”, pitting people against each other and trying to hand over power structure to one man while the party sought support of all like-minded political and social forces to come together at “this critical juncture”.
In his 45-minute spirited address, which was repeatedly cheered by delegates from across the country, he sought to widen the party’s reach as he asserted that he would fight for the cause of the youth, women, downtrodden sections and a new constituency of people who have risen above the poverty line and are aspiring to be part of the middle class.
He gave indications of changing the style of functioning in the party, which he had promised after the drubbing in Assembly polls, by ensuring larger participation of people, including women in decision-making like candidate selection.
He said tickets will not be given to party hoppers but to those who have “Congress in their blood” and candidates for 15 Lok Sabha seats will be chosen on the basis of feedback from local units, an experiment which will be expanded if it works.
Acknowledging that Congress has a “tough battle” ahead, Rahul said, “This is not just another turn in the history of India, another election to be fought, won or lost. This is a turning point in our nation’s journey. Nobody is in the mood to accept less than their full and complete right. No one is ready to compromise anymore.
“Either we wake up to their aspirations, or we have no business to claim that we represent them. The change that is taking place around us is unstoppable. The imperative before us not whether to change but when and how to change.”
Giving a battle cry for the upcoming Lok Sabha elections, Rahul said the Congress is ready for the tough challenge ahead and “we will not stop till the battle is won”.
In a bid to lift the morale of the cadre, he said howsoever dark the night may be and tough the battle may be, the Congress will go in as “warrior” with “head high” and “not lose courage.”
Tearing into BJP and its PM candidate Modi for his ‘Congress-free India’ campaign, he said Congress is a “thought” which cannot be erased. “Whoever has tried to do it, has himself got destroyed”.
Sonia Gandhi asked the party workers not to lose heart after the recent drubbing in Assembly elections, saying victory and defeat are inescapable in politics and Congress always has the resilience to bounce back by fighting the challenges strongly.
“Congress has faced many difficult times in the past, much tougher than today, but we have never lost heart,” he said.
Rahul and Sonia Gandhi also put an end to the debate over projecting him as the Prime Ministerial candidate, saying the party has the tradition of PM being elected by the MPs.
In a bid to lift the morale of the cadre, he said however dark the night may be and tough the battle may be, the Congress will go in as “warrior” with “head high” and “not lose courage.”
Rahul articulated worries over the issues of corruption and price rise and said the Congress and the Manmohan Singh Government is determined to address these.
In a virtual directive, Rahul asked the Government to raise the annual cap of subsidised LPG cylinders from 9 to 12, a point that was lustily cheered by the audience.
Oil and Petroleum Minister M Veerappa Moily immediately announced that the issue will go to the Cabinet and a decision will be taken to implement it.
Apparently taking a leaf out of Aam Aadmi Party’s strategy, he said tickets for 15 Lok Sabha seats will be given on the basis of feedback from local units and if the experiment works, it will be expanded to legislatures.
Singling out Modi without taking his name, Rahul said, “democracy is not rule by dictates, not rule by one man” but by empowered elected representatives.
He accused the BJP of disrupting Parliament, year after year, day after day, for the last 10 years and preventing the Government from enacting crucial laws.
Setting the agenda for the next three months, he said the Government ensure passage of six anti-corruption bills, which will ensure punishment for the guilty and protect the honest.
Referring to the Lok Sabha polls, he said, “It is not just another election, it is a turning point in our nation’s journey”.
He said the question now was not whether the party should change but when and how. “The change around us is unstoppable,” he said, adding the Congress is already responding to the increasing demand for change.
“Unlike others, we do not respond by complaining but solving issues. Unlike others, we do not respond by blocking Parliament day after day, year after year. Unlike others, we do not respond by turning people against people and by lighting fires of communal hatred. We do not respond by handing over the structure of democracy to one person,” the Congress Vice President.
“Congress responds by democracy,” he added.
Sonia Gandhi also made a scathing attack on the BJP, warning that the country faces the biggest threat from communal forces and their ideology.
Apparently referring to the recent drubbing in the Assembly polls, she said there might be “some shortcomings” in meeting the hopes and expectations of the common people and requested all to “be a little soft” towards her party in view of the slew of programmes and policies implemented by the UPA Government.
The AICC resolution’s phraseology was almost similar to the one adopted by the Congress at the Shimla Conclave in 2003 when the party shed its reservation to coalition politics. Congress had then called for unity of secular forces.
Asking the party workers not to lose heart after the recent drubbing in Assembly elections, Gandhi said that victory and defeat are inescapable in politics and Congress always has the resilience to bounce back by fighting the challenges strongly.
“Congress has faced many difficult times in the past, much tougher than today, but we have never lost heart,” she said signalling that the party was battle ready for the 2014 Lok Sabha elections.
Manmohan Singh, who is at the fag end of his Prime Ministership, was praised by Sonia as well as Rahul.
He, however, rued that his Government did not get the “credit it deserves” even though the country has seen the average growth of 7.9 per cent over the last nine years despite two bouts of global recession and taken a slew of initiatives in the social sectors like health care and education.
At the same time, he admitted that the growth rate had slowed down because clearances were not granted to infrastructure projects for the fear of CAG and CVC scrutiny.
He asked the people to judge the record of his Government while closely scrutinising that of Opposition Governments.
Rahul acknowledged that the Opposition marketed its wares well and made a veiled attack on Aam Aadmi Party in this regard.
“They are good in selling combs to the bald. Some new people have come, who have already started giving hair cut,” he said, evoking laughter all around.
The omnibus resolution, which was adopted by raising of hands by the delegates, said, “the recent political setbacks are an important wake up call, and if anything, they should motivate us to work harder, enhancing the connect with every Indian.”
Rahul, while talking about empowerment of people including the elected representatives, talked about concerns over price rise and corruption.
The AICC resolution said the war against price rise will continue to remain the overriding policy priority of the Congress party. “The Congress is deeply aware that the scourge of corruption affects the life of every Indian and the poor carry its greatest burden.”
Facing accusations of policy paralysis, Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh today admitted that growth rate had slowed down because clearances were not granted to infrastructure projects for the fear of CAG and CVC.
He asked the people to judge the record of his Government while closely scrutinising that of opposition Governments.
Addressing the AICC session here, he rued that his Government was not getting the “credit it deserves” even though the country has seen the average growth of 7.9 per cent over the last nine years despite two bouts of global recession.
With the upcoming Lok Sabha polls apparently in his mind, Singh said the people should compare his Government’s performance while “closely scrutinising” the record and claims of others, particularly in the context of inclusiveness, an apparent reference to BJP’s Prime Ministerial candidate Narendra Modi.
The Prime Minister said that the recent election results were disappointing, but stressed there was no reason for despair as the party could still win the Lok Sabha polls with an effective strategy under the leadership of Rahul Gandhi.
“We agree that there are certain domestic reasons responsible for the slowdown in our growth rate.Infrastructure projects do not get expeditious clearances. Bureaucrats are hesitant to take decisions fearing that CVC and CAG will raise questions over their decisions,” he said.
He was apparently referring to the questions raised by CAG over various decisions including in coal blocks allocation and 2G spectrum.
Singh asserted that his Government was taking steps to remove such “obstacles” as he cited that the projects worth Rs 5 lakh crore had been cleared by the Cabinet. “It will take some time for our efforts to bear fruit.”
Talking about efforts to deal with corruption, he said these issues are being dealt with as per law, although his Government has followed the earlier policies in the allocation of coal blocks and 2G spectrum.
“Now we have changed the system completely. Now the allocation of 2G spectrum and coal blocks is being done only through auction. In future, there is no scope of corruption in these areas,” he said.
Observing that his Government was also criticised for rise in prices, the Prime Minister said it is correct that there has been a hike in the inflation rate, especially in the prices of edible items.
“But we must remember that those who produce foodgrains, vegetables, fruits, milk and eggs have benefited out of the rise in prices. Though the concerns over price rise are completely valid, we have to also recognise the fact that the incomes of a large number of people have also gone up.
“This can be ascertained from the fact that the real per capita consumption and real wages in rural areas have gone up considerably,” Singh said.
Rise in consumption and providing better facilities for marketing, transport and storage would also be steps towards checking price rise, he said.
Calling for a thorough analysis of the reasons for Congress drubbing in the recent Assembly elections, he said he was fully confident that “if we prepare ourselves properly for the 2014 elections and take the report of our Government’s performance to the people, our performance in these polls will be good.”
While Congress President Sonia Gandhi has successfully led the party since she took the reins in 2008, “the work of our Vice President Rahulji will generate new enthusiasm and energy in the party,” he said.
“The way he (Rahul) is stressing on the basic ideals of the party, it is definite that we will scale new heights in the coming days. I have no doubts in my mind that we will fully succeed in the general elections under his leadership,” the Prime Minister said.
Admitting that “we have committed a few mistakes”, Singh said, “We have always tried to correct our mistakes and take lessons from them. But our intentions have always been clear.”
In his 20-minute speech, the Prime Minister also listed the achievements of his Government, including maintaining an average GDP growth rate of 7.9 per cent, reduction in the number of people below poverty line, rise in agricultural growth, steps to curb violence against women and downtrodden sections, besides enhancing opportunities for education and employment.
Making a scathing attack on the BJP, Congress President Sonia Gandhi today warned that the country faced the biggest threat from communal forces and their ideology even as the AICC resolution called upon “like-minded political and social forces to come together at this critical juncture”.
Apparently referring to the recent drubbing in the Assembly polls, she said there might be “some shortcomings” in meeting the hopes and expectations of the common people and requested all to “be a little soft” towards her party in view of the slew of programmes and policies implemented by the UPA Government.
Asking the party workers not to lose heart after the recent drubbing in Assembly elections, Gandhi said that victory and defeat are inescapable in politics and Congress always has the resilience to bounce back by fighting the challenges strongly.
“Congress has faced many difficult times in the past, much tougher than today, but we have never lost heart,” she said signalling that the party was battle ready for the 2014 Lok Sabha elections.
Describing secularism as the biggest identity of the country, Gandhi hit out at the BJP, without taking its name, saying the policy of the main Opposition party is of dividing society on communal lines, imposing uniformity in the name of unity.
“The biggest danger to the country’s social fabric is from the communal forces and their ideologies. Congress has always worked to unite people and has never compromised with communalism. Secularism means equal faith in all religions (sarva dharma sambhava). It is not an electoral compulsion for us. This is something which we deeply believe in,” she said.
“The next elections will see a sharpening contrast between competing ideologies from the past and clashing vision of the future. It will be a battle between forces of age old secularism and others. It will be a battle for India as we cherish,” she said.
Seeking to contrast it with the politics of BJP, she said their way of functioning is to divide society on communal lines and provoke violence. “As Congressmen, we have always fought this ideology.”
“The 2014 Lok Sabha elections is a contest between opposing ideologies-–one that seeks to divide and other than seeks to unite India. One a polarising ideology that militates against the core values which define Indian nationhood and its constitutional democracy and the other a liberal secular democratic ideology represented by Indian National Congress,” the resolution said.
Maintaining that Congress will continue to champion this “liberal secular democratic vision of India,” the resolution said the party “seeks the support of all like-minded political and social forces to come together in this pursuit at this critical juncture”.
A highlight of the proceedings was the clamour for declaring Rahul Gandhi as the Prime Ministerial candidate of the part responding to which Sonia Gandhi said that the decision taken by the Congress Working Committee yesterday was “final”.
The CWC yesterday decided that Rahul Gandhi will lead the campaign in the Lok Sabha polls, refraining from specifically naming him the PM candidate.
“This meeting of the AICC declares that the Congress Party’s 2014 Lok Sabha election campaign will be led by Rahul Gandhi,” the resolution, which was approved by an extended meeting of the Congress Working Committee yesterday, said.
As the clamour continued, party general secretary Janardan Dwivedi intervened seeking to pacify the agitated party workers dropping broad indications that it is Rahul Gandhi who will be Prime Minister if the Congress came to power.
“Is there any name other than Rahul Gandhi? Is there any alternative to Rahul Gandhi? If it is not so why don’t you understand?”
The Congress Vice President too tried to pacify workers saying he would explain to them his position on the issue later in the day.
Detailing the work done by the Congress-led coalition at the Centre, Sonia asked whether any other Government had done so much in the past.
Hailing Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh, she said he has led the coalition for the past ten years with dignity despite all difficulties and obstructions as well as “irresponsible attitude” of the Opposition and remained firm on his objectives.
At the outset, Gandhi said, “We meet today to send a clear signal that the Congress is ready and prepared for the battle ahead”.
Noting that the AICC is meeting at a time when the party is celebrating the 125th birth anniversary of Jawaharlal Nehru, Gandhi said it was he who had said soon after independence that confronting danger and facing adversity is the Congress way.
“That message should resonate more loudly now than ever before”.
Turning to the issue of corruption, Gandhi said crucial bills, which are powerful instruments in the country’s fight against corruption, are pending in Parliament.
“We will do our utmost to get them through when Parliament reconvenes next month,” she said, appealing to all parties to rise above political considerations and pass these bills.
Noting that the RTI Act was the single most important reason why citizens feel empowered to fight corruption, she said that Congress is responsible for the “historic” Act.
On the issue of disparities, she said that while growth is essential and must be sustained, it alone cannot address the problems arising out of continuing disparities.
“Tackling these is not just a matter of social justice but more importantly an existential necessity and a moral imperative,” she said.
“If the basic needs of large sections of society are not met in tangible measure, the fabric of society will be stretched and torn,” she warned.
The CWC decision not to anoint Rahul Gandhi as Prime Ministerial candidate did not deter party workers from voicing their clamour but Sonia Gandhi put an end to any debate asserting that the decision taken last night was “final”.
As soon as the AICC meeting began at the packed Talkatora Stadium here, loud demands were made that the Congress Vice President be declared the PM candidate ahead of the general elections.
The Congress President immediately made it clear that the last night’s decision not to nominate him as PM candidate is final, in an apparent bid to avoid any further debate on the issue.
But as the leaders shouted that Rahul be made the PM candidate other party leaders intervened to drop enough indications that despite the absence of a formal decision, it is the Congress Vice President, who will become Prime Minister if the party comes to power.
The slogan shouting continued even as Sonia Gandhi rose to speak, prompting her to declare “a decision has been taken in the CWC and that decision is final.”
However, the workers continued with their Rahul as PM candidate pitch.
Under attack over the issue of corruption, Congress today asserted that it would work tirelessly to remove this “scourge” but advocated caution saying that disagreement on merits and “honest mistake” should not be confused with it.
The party also expressed its dismay over rejection of some of the Government’s decisions by courts and constitutional authorities saying they have caused damage to the economy. The resolution was, however, silent on what those decisions were.
The UPA Government had faced flak from the judiciary on 2G and coal block allocations issues along with some of its other controversial decisions earlier.
“Congress is deeply aware that the scourge if corruption affects the life of every Indian, and the poor carry its greatest burden.
“The Congress believes this is unacceptable and has been tirelessly working on an agenda of governance to address this,” the party said in the resolution.
Claiming that the Congress-led UPA Government struck the defining blow on corruption by enacting the Right to Information Act in 2005, the party also noted “however, in our pursuit to root out corruption, we have to be careful so as not to confuse disagreement on merits or even an honest mistake with corruption.
“Not everything that we find wrong is necessarily corruption.”
The resolution noted that several decisions of the courts and constitutional authorities rejecting some administrative and executive decisions taken with good intentions have caused considerable damage to our economy.
“We are laying down a solid base of legislation to root out corruption and making the corrupt accountable, but equally we have to be vigilant that natural justice is not given a go-bye or honest public servants hounded or forced into self-conscious paralysis,” the resolution said.
Commending the UPA Government for ensuring that the Lokpal bill was passed in the last session, the resolution referred to party Vice President’s pitch for a comprehensive framework of action and a concerted political programmes at all levels for tackling corruption.
The Lokpal bill while being a critical milestone, alone will not be adequate to fight corruption.
India needs a comprehensive anti-corruption code, which the UPA Government has developed, consisting of nine central laws, it said.
It said that Congress believes that fighting corruption requires a fundamental transformation in our service delivery systems.
“The Aapka Paisa, Aapke Haath, initiative of the UPA Government, backed by the unique identity number Aadhar , which will ensure that benefits of Government schemes reach the people directly, on time and at their doorstep, eliminating corruption and leakages, is a major step in this direction.
“The Congress is deeply committed to ensuring the full roll out and effective implementation of this programme across the country, while ensuring that no one is excluded in the transition and no hardship is caused in the initial stage,” the resolution said.
Apparently mindful of legal and political wrangles involving its initiaves on quotas, Congress today emphasized the need to look at “other forms of affirmative action as well” to help socially disadvantaged sections of society.
“The reservation model has served India well over the years since independence to ensure social justice, especially for the weakest sections of society, dalits, adivasis, OBCs and women.
“Whilst it is important to review the contours of the model for more effective implementation and to address the issue of reservation in promotion, Congress believes that it is also an opportune time to look at other forms of affirmative action,” a resolution adopted by AICC meeting here said.
It also said the proposal to set up an Equal Opportunity Commission has been in principle accepted by the Government.
The Government’s last few initiatives on quota have run into controversies. Its decision to carve out a minority sub quota of 4.5 percent from the existing 27 OBC reservation ran into rough weather with the courts snubbing the Government.
Its another move to give reservation in promotion was recently passed in Rajya Sabha amid fierce Opposition by Samajwadi Party while the issue of reservation in AIIMS faculty is also in legal knot.
Noting that terrorism is a major challenge, it said it was committed to tackling it through global cooperation and to follow a foreign policy rooted to India’s interest.
Congress, which has decided to make rights based legislations brought under UPA rule a major poll plank, today said time has now come to bring in ‘Right to Health’ and ‘Right to Justice’ for all Indians.
“The Congress believes that it is time for us to consider Right to Health for all Indians.
“In addition, conscious that our growing economy will inevitably bring conflicting claims and consequent need for fair adjudication, the Congress party believes that it is time to introduce the Right to Justice by ramping up the legal aid schemes and expanding the judicial footprint to ensure faster dispensation of justice,” said a resolution at the AICC meet here. (PTI)
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