Congress’ Udaipur ‘shivir’ from today
The Congress Party is all set to kickstart its threeday brainstorming session in Udaipur from Friday. The focus of the deliberations will be on the current political scenario, the economic situation and the challenges they pose to our society. The issues on the welfare and well-being of farmers and khet mazdoors, Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, OBCs, religious and linguistic minorities, women’s social justice and empowerment, and youth will also be discussed in detail. The “Chintan Shivir” will also deliberate on the broad strategy of the party for the 2024 Lok Sabha elections.
The session is being held after the Congress lost the Assembly elections in five states. Voices were rising from within the party seeking sweeping changes in its organisational setup. Some leaders also suggested that the responsibility of the debacle should be fixed right at the top. Congress spokesman Randeep Singh Surjewala said on Thursday that the party needs to address the organisational weaknesses and structural reforms for the betterment of the country. Addressing a press conference on the eve of the brainstorming session, he said: “We know that we need to improve both our organisational strengths and weaknesses for the betterment of the country. Not only do we have to evaluate our efficiency and style, but also change them according to the current challenges and circumstances. This is why the Congress has organised a three-day
◗ THE SESSION is being held after the Congress lost the Assembly elections in five states. Voices were rising from within the party seeking sweeping changes in its organisational setup.
brainstorming session named ‘Nav Sankalp Shivir’ in Rajasthan’s Udaipur.” The Congress Working Committee released a notice which said party president Sonia Gandhi will convene a threeday Chintan Shivir to be held from May 13 to May 15. Around 400 senior Congress leaders will attend the event.
Insiders claim that there could be a demand from the attendees to make Mrs Sonia Gandhi the full-time president of the party if Rahul Gandhi is not keen to take on the mantle. The election of the Congress president is due to be held later this year. As there have been a lot of attacks on the first family of the Congress after the Assembly election debacle in March, a show of strength for the Gandhis within the party is also expected. The Congress leadership has already announced five separate groups -- on political, economic, social justice, farmers, youth and organisational issues. The delegates have already been informed which group they are expected to participate in and give a report. Some major organisational changes are also expected at the three-day session.