NEED TO REPAY OUR DEBT TO PARTY, SAYS SONIA AT CWC

NEW DELHI: Days before the party goes to a Chintan Shivir to prepare a new action plan for its “accelerated revival” before the 2024 general elections, Congress president Sonia Gandhi told leaders at a Congress Working Committee (CWC) meeting on Monday to repay their “debt to the party” and welcomed self-criticism but cautioned that it shouldn’t be done in a manner that erodes self-confidence.

The Congress president promised it would be an action-oriented Chintan Shivir and not a ritual. Later, party leaders announced the organisation has to “transform to an unprecedented magnitude” to tackle the country’s economic and political challenges as a “party that is aspiring to come to power”.

In the Chintan Shivir, the party might consider a “cooling-off period” for office-bearers to allow others to take charge, creation of a separate election cell and even a suggestion to hold some CWC meetings outside Delhi.

“The party has been central to the life of each and every one of us. It has expected our total allegiance and has been good to each and every one of us. Now, when we are at a crucial juncture, it is imperative that we step forward and repay our debt to the party in full measure,” Gandhi told the CWC.

She also reminded colleagues that “there are no magic wands” and added that “it is only with selfless work, discipline and a sense of consistent collective purpose that we will demonstrate our tenacity and resilience.”

The Chintan Shivir in Udaipur, to be held from May 13-15, aims for a serious introspection in the party that has failed to win two consecutive Lok Sabha polls, has been reduced to just 29 seats in the Upper House and has suffered a string of assembly election losses. The new road map also comes ahead of the Congress’s organisational election that will see the election of a new president after a tumultuous period in leadership.

Setting the stage for the Chintan Shivir, the fourth since 1998, Gandhi added that self-criticism is needed in party forums but it must not dampen self-confidence. “Selfcriticism is of course needed in our party forums. But this should not be done in a manner that erodes self-confidence and morale and an atmosphere of gloom and doom prevails. To the contrary, we are beholden to put our heads together and collectively overcome the challenges that face us.”

Gandhi sought to ensure that the “single over-riding message that goes forth loud and clear from Udaipur is one of unity, cohesion, determination and commitment to our party’s accelerated revival”.

Jairam Ramesh claimed that the party is going to Udaipur “not to draft a manifesto but to strengthen the party and make an action plan”.