New Delhi.
The Steering Committee of the Indian National Congress met today at 10 am at 24 Akbar Road, New Delhi, with the Hon’ble Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge presiding.
The Committee unanimously resolved that the 85th Plenary Session of the Indian National Congress will be held at Raipur in the second half of February 2023.
The Committee noted the overwhelming success of the Bharat Jodo Yatra and the wide participation of lakhs of people. The Yatra listens to and speaks with people from all sections of society every day, especially youth, women, farmers and the working class, directly communicating its message of equality, fraternity and harmony. It is the same message which India’s spiritual leaders and social reformers preached, the leaders of our freedom struggle under Mahatma Gandhi fought for, and our Constitution upholds.
The Committee particularly appreciated the leadership of former President Shri Rahul Gandhi, whose tapasya, unfailing determination, and love for India and her people have been critical to the success of the Yatra. The Committee expressed its thanks to leaders and karyakartas of the Indian National Congress across the country for their hard work in supporting the Yatra, as well as to the lakhs of Indians who have participated in it.
The Committee noted with concern the grave economic, social and political challenges that India continues to face. These challenges intensify every day. Crores of people struggle with soaring prices (increasing at nearly 7%) and record unemployment (8%), even as the Government allows the concentration of the nation’s wealth in a few chosen hands. Economic growth continues to slide with every passing year. The deliberate subversion of, and attack on Constitutional institutions continues. The pre-meditated attempt that is underway to de-legitimize the judiciary and orchestrate a confrontation between the executive and the judiciary is particularly alarming. The Government continues its silence on Chinese incursions on the border and the change in status quo on the LAC, even as credible reports indicate increased deployment of Chinese troops and weaponry.
As India faces these challenges, the Prime Minister continues to deny, distract and divide. His inflammatory rhetoric during the recent election campaigns in Gujarat and Himachal Pradesh has further polarised the polity and society at a time when serious discussion and debate are needed.
The Indian National Congress has a critical role to play in finding solutions to these challenges.. The Steering Committee calls upon every Congressman and Congresswoman to work with unity, faith, determination, and a sense of collective purpose. The victory of the party will be the victory of every leader and karyakarta and a victory for the idea of India that guided our freedom movement and is enshrined in our Constitution.
