*RESOLUTION ADOPTED BY CONGRESS WORKING COMMITTEE, NEW DELHI, NOVEMBER 29TH, 2024*
The CWC met today in the midst of the Winter session of Parliament which has been a washout so far because of the Modi Government’s stubborn refusal to have an immediate discussion on three pressing national issues: the recent revelations regarding brazen corruption by the business group with whom the PM himself has the most intimate relationship, continued violence in Manipur and the abdication of all responsibility by the PM who has not even once visited the troubled state since May 2023 and systematic attempts of the BJP to foment communal tensions in different states, most recently in UP.
After reiterating its firmest commitment to the letter and spirit of the Places of Worship (Special Provisions) Act, 1991 which is being violated brazenly by the BJP, the CWC discussed the challenges faced by the Indian National Congress following the results of the four Vidhan Sabha elections.
The overwhelming victory of Smt. Priyanka Gandhi Vadra in the Wayanad by-election has generated a massive wave of enthusiasm amongst the party workers especially, as well among the wider public.
The CWC thanks the people of Jharkhand for the decisive mandate they have given the JMM, INC and other INDIA parties. They have resoundingly rejected the dangerously divisive and poisonously polarising campaign of the BJP spearheaded by the Prime Minister, Union Home Minister, the CM of Assam and the former CM of Madhya Pradesh.
The CWC thanks the people of J&K for the confidence they have placed in the NC-INC alliance in such a clear manner. While accepting that our own performance should have been better our party will continue to press for the restoration of full-fledged statehood to J&K.
The CWC also acknowledges that the party’s performance in Haryana has been contrary to all expectations. Very simply, the INC should have formed the government in the state by a convincing margin but it didn’t. But there have been electoral malpractices that have influenced the result in the state which have been overlooked.
The CWC also accepts that the party’s performance, as indeed that of its MVA allies, in Maharashtra has been inexplicable and is, in fact, shocking. The electoral outcome is beyond normal understanding. It appears to be a clear case of targeted manipulation.
The CWC expresses its hope and confidence that the Congress President will complete the detailed state-wise reviews soon and take the necessary follow-up action, particularly in relation to organisational matters. These matters need urgent attention both at the AICC level as well in all states.
The CWC calls upon the INC’s organisation at all levels to summon the maximum strength and resilience at this juncture. There is no reason to get disheartened or panic. We must persevere with renewed determination and resolve. Unity and discipline are called for now more than ever before. The issues the party placed before the people during the Bharat Jodo Yatra, the Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra and the Lok Sabha election campaign are the issues of daily concern to the people of our country. The party must keep reinforcing its narrative. This includes caste census to ensure full social justice, removal of the 50% ceiling on reservations for scheduled castes, scheduled tribes and OBCs, control of growing monopolies in the economy through political patronage and continuing price rise and growing unemployment.
Finally, the CWC believes the integrity of the entire electoral process is being severely compromised. Free and fair elections is a Constitutional mandate that is being called into serious question by the partisan functioning of the Election Commission. Increasing sections of society are becoming frustrated and deeply apprehensive. The Congress will take these up these public concerns as a national movement.