Sonia Gandhi calls for 'unity at all levels', says Congress' revival essential for democracy
New Delhi, April 5: Congress interim president Sonia Gandhi called for "unity at all levels" of the organisation at a meeting of party MPs on Tuesday. In the meeting, she spoke about the party's "shocking and painful" defeats in the recent elections and slammed the government for targeting the Opposition and "spreading maximum fear and intimidation".
Addressing a meeting of the Congress Parliamentary Party (CPP) in Parliament, Sonia Gandhi stated that "The road ahead is more challenging than ever before. Our dedication and determination, our spirit of resilience are under severe test. Unity at all levels of our vast organisation is of paramount importance and speaking for myself, I am determined to do whatever is needed to ensure it. Our revival is not just a matter of importance to us alone--it is, in fact, essential for our democracy itself and indeed for our society as well."
Sonia Gandhi further stated that she had received many suggestions on how to strengthen the Congress and she was working on "many of them".
"I am very well aware of how disappointed you are at the recent election results. They have been both shocking and painful. The CWC has met once to review our performance. I have met with other colleagues too. I have received many suggestions on how to strengthen our organization," she continued.
The remarks came ahead of the party's 'Chintan Shivir,' which will be held in response to the party's setback in the recent Punjab Assembly elections, as well as its failure to make an impact in Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Manipur and Goa. Sonia Gandhi offered to resign after the poll debacle, but the Congress Working Committee (CWC) rejected her proposal, even as G-23, a group of dissident leaders, urged for organisational changes in the party.
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Sonia Gandhi, speaking at the CPP on Tuesday, said the ruling BJP's "divisive agenda" has become a regular feature of political discourse in all states, and that history is being "mischievously distorted" to provide fuel to its intent.
"The divisive and polarizing agenda of the ruling party and its leaders has now become a regular feature of the political discourse in state after state. History, not just ancient but also contemporary, is mischievously distorted and facts are maliciously invented to add fuel to this agenda. It is for us all to stand up and confront these forces of hate and prejudice. We will not allow them to damage the bonds of amity and harmony that have sustained and enriched our diverse society for centuries," she continued.
She also said that the ruling party continues to target the opposition, its leaders and workers. "The full might of the state machinery is unleashed against them. Maximum governance to those in power clearly means spreading maximum fear and intimidation. Such blatant threats and tactics will not frighten or silence us nor will we get cowed down," she stated.
She further lashed out at BJP for the rising inflation and asked the party members to sustain the 'Mehngai-mukt Bharat 'campaign.
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-PTC News
