BJP brutalizing minorities, glorifying killers of Gandhiji: Sonia Gandhi
Congress President Sonia Gandhi on Friday launched a stinging attack on the BJP and PM Narendra Modi in her inaugural address at the party's ongoing three-day brainstorming session—Nav Sankalp Chintan Shivir—being held in Udaipur, Rajasthan. She accused the incumbent administration of instilling fear and divisiveness in the country. Gandhi claimed that PM Modi and his colleagues are glorifying the killers of Mahatma Gandhi.
Why does this story matter?
Gandhi's comment came in the aftermath of the Congress's defeat in the recently concluded Assembly polls, in which the BJP gained heavily. Rahul Gandhi resigned as Congress president after the party lost the Lok Sabha elections in 2019. Sonia Gandhi was later chosen as interim president by the Congress Working Committee (CWC).
Sonia's barbs at BJP
"BJP is brutalizing minorities and glorifying Gandhiji's killers," Gandhi said in her address on the first day of the Chintan Shivir. She criticized PM Modi's "maximum governance, minimum government" slogan and said the country has been pushed to a polarized state. "It is compelling people to live in a constant state of fear and insecurity," she added.
Shivir an opportunity to introspect, examine external challenges: Gandhi
The Congress chief stated that the Chintan Shivir allows the party to examine various issues and introspect. She said the country is experiencing challenging times due to the policies of the BJP, RSS, and its affiliates. Gandhi stated that the conclave is an opportunity to reflect on the various tasks, internal and external, that will be assigned to the workers.
What are the focus areas?
According to India Today, the event is expected to focus on three primary areas: time-bound reform of the Congress party, preventing divisiveness, and preparing for approaching elections. While the deliberations will be held for two days, a proclamation will be documented on the third day. A draft of recommendations is expected to be discussed during the CWC meeting later.
Agenda to revive and strengthen the party
A group led by party president Gandhi will deliberate on the plan to strengthen the party and make structural changes, as per reports. It will come up with the Udaipur declaration to be implemented ahead of the 2024 Lok Sabha polls. Congress insiders told India Today that the Chintan Shivir will also try to resolve ideological, electoral, and managerial challenges.
Conclave to deliberate on challenges faced by the country
The conclave, according to the Congress leader Randeep Surjewala, would discuss issues such as the economic crisis, rising wealth disparity, rising prices of key commodities, and the alleged take over of the farming sector by corporations. China's "attack" on India's territorial integrity, the assault on Dalits, minorities' rights, and divisive Hindu-Muslim discourse will also be debated.
Discussion of six crucial papers
Gandhi had previously formed six committees, each with nine members, to draft papers on various problems. These papers are expected to be discussed in depth during the event. The main focus areas of these committees were politics, economy, agriculture, laborer, underprivileged, minorities and women, restructuring of the organization, and the upliftment of youth, especially in the education and employment sector.
