Chintan Shivir: Congress approves 'one-family, one-ticket' rule, but with exceptions
The Congress Working Committee (CWC), the party's top decision-making body, endorsed organizational reform measures on Sunday, including the implementation of the "one-family, one-ticket" rule. At the party's Udaipur Chintan Shivir, the committee also accepted a proposal to ensure people aged below 50 are represented at all levels, including in the CWC, along with a five-year term limit for individuals in positions at all levels.
Why does this story matter?
The Congress, through the Chintan Shivir, is contemplating reforms to bring its house in order and become a serious contender to the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in the upcoming elections. The Chintan Shivir comes after the Congress high command was unable to bring political strategist Prashant Kishor onboard to undertake changes. The G-21 group of dissenting Congress leaders has also called for sweeping reforms.
CWC approves one-family, one-ticket rule with a rider
At a meeting presided over by party chief Sonia Gandhi, the CWC accepted the Udaipur Nav Sankalp Shivir declaration. According to The Indian Express, the main decision taken by the panel was to implement the "one-family, one-ticket" rule. However, sons, daughters, and other relatives of Congress leaders, who want to run for office, should have served the party for at least five years.
Revival of Parliamentary Board rejected
Party insiders told The Indian Express that the CWC also approved a proposal to create a small internal political advisory council to assist the Congress president in making organizational and policy decisions. The CWC, on the other hand, rejected the proposal to revive the Parliamentary Board process. Instead, the Congress chief will be assisted by a small committee of CWC members in making decisions.
Go-ahead to special committees, national-level trainings
Similarly, the CWC has decided to set up a political affairs committee in all states and a special body for election management. It has also given a go-ahead to a national-level training institute to train leaders. As per reports, the Rajiv Gandhi Institute of Development Studies (RGIDS), run by the Kerala Pradesh Congress Committee KPCC in Thiruvananthapuram, will be the initial center for training.
Congress 'padyatras' from Kashmir to Kanyakumari
The Congress also approved taking out padyatras (foot marches) across the country to raise the issue of unemployment and hold janta durbars (public meetings) to connect with the people. Party leader Rahul Gandhi and several other senior leaders are expected to participate in the year-long events. Called Jan Jagran Abhiyan 2.0, the initiative came up for discussion at the party's Chintan Shivir.
