Reacting to the G23 leaders and the critics within the party who questioned the functioning and leadership of the party – Congress President Sonia Gandhi speaking at Congress Working Committee meeting said “I am if you will allow me to say so, a full-time and hands-on Congress President.”
During her opening address, the Congress President said, “In the last two years, a large number of our colleagues, particularly the younger ones have taken on leadership roles in taking party policies and programmes to the people — whether it be the agitation of farmers, provision of relief during the pandemic, highlighting issues of concern to youth and women, atrocities on Dalits, Adivasis and minorities, price rise, and the destruction of the public sector.”
“Never have we let issues of public importance and concern go unaddressed. You are aware that I have been taking them up with the Prime Minister, as have Manmohan Singh Ji and Rahul Ji. I have been interacting with like-minded political parties regularly. We have issued joint statements on national issues and coordinated our strategy in Parliament as well,” she added.
Speaking about the Congress’ revival, she mentioned that it would require unity and keeping the party’s interests paramount.
Informing about the upcoming Vidhan Sabha elections she mentioned that they had already begun preparing a while back and are ready to face the challenges that might be thrown their way. “If we are united and disciplined then I am confident that we will do well.”
She added, “I am acutely conscious of the fact that I have been interim Congress President ever since the CWC, asked me to return in this capacity in 2019. We had thereafter, you may recall, finalized a roadmap for electing a regular President by June 30th 2021. But the second wave of COVID-19 overtook the country and this deadline was extended indefinitely by the CWC in its meeting held on May 10, 2021. Today is the occasion for bringing clarity once and for all. A Schedule for full-fledged organizational elections is before you.”
