NEW DELHI, Feb 19: Following significant organizational changes within the party, Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge engaged in candid discussions with senior office-bearers on Wednesday. He made it clear that they would be held responsible for future election outcomes in their respective states and advised vigilance against ideologically weak defectors.
During a meeting at the party’s headquarters in Indira Bhawan, Kharge addressed general secretaries and newly appointed in-charges, underscoring the need to elevate individuals dedicated to the Congress ideology who will stand firm even in challenging times.
Kharge hinted at further changes within the organization, noting that some modifications had already occurred and more are anticipated.
“I want to emphasize the crucial matter of accountability. You will all be held accountable for restructuring the organizations in your states and for upcoming election results,” he stated to the office-bearers.
This meeting included notable figures such as former Congress chief Rahul Gandhi, and senior leaders Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, K C Venugopal, and Jairam Ramesh, as well as all general secretaries and in-charges from various states.
Kharge also raised concerns over alleged “voter list manipulation,” claiming it is occurring extensively during elections.
He highlighted that Rahul Gandhi had also addressed this issue in the Lok Sabha.
“You will notice that names of our supporters are often deleted from the voters list, or they are moved to adjacent booths. Just before elections, the BJP adds new names. This form of rigging must be stopped at all costs,” asserted the Congress leader.
Kharge pointed out that the Supreme Court had once mandated that the Chief Justice be part of the selection committee for the Chief Election Commission (CEC), but the Modi government had removed the CJI from this panel.
“The government does not even trust the Chief Justice’s impartiality. This matter was supposed to be addressed in the Supreme Court, yet the government announced the new CEC before it could be heard. Rahul Ji questioned the purpose of a selection committee that uses the Leader of the Opposition merely for endorsement,” he remarked.
Kharge also discussed issues like inflation and unemployment, claiming the Modi government has failed in these areas.
He urged office-bearers to fortify the party structure.
“It is your responsibility to strengthen the organization from the state headquarters down to the booth level as quickly as possible. You must engage with workers directly. Our Frontals and Cells need to be included in this process. I want to particularly emphasize the role of the Indian National Trade Union Congress (INTUC), as they are a vital part of our organization, and we must involve them in building our structure,” Kharge stated.
“By actively engaging at the booth, division, block, district, and state levels, you can attract new supporters and gather committed, ideologically strong individuals who can significantly benefit our party, but who may not have had prior opportunities,” he continued.
Kharge reiterated the importance of supporting individuals who are loyal to the Congress ideology and steadfast even in tough times.
He cautioned that hasty inductions to strengthen the party could lead to ideological weaknesses and potential defections during crises.
Using a Hindi proverb, he reminded the office-bearers to be cautious about favoring “imitations over originals.”
In his opening comments, Kharge recognized that voters in Delhi sought change, commending the state leadership for their resilience despite limited resources.
The BJP returned to power in Delhi after over 26 years, winning 48 out of 70 assembly seats, while the AAP secured 22 seats, leaving Congress with none in the elections held on February 5.
Kharge emphasized that party leaders must address public concern issues over the next five years and aim to position the Congress as the principal opposition party in Delhi.
Criticizing the government, he claimed the Prime Minister failed to prevent the disgrace experienced by Indians deported from the USA.
“Despite Modi ji’s visit, America continues to send back Indian citizens in handcuffs, just as before. Vegetarians were provided non-vegetarian meals. Our government has also not effectively protested this humiliation,” Kharge alleged.
“Furthermore, the USA is inflicting economic harm on us by imposing reverse tariffs, yet the prime minister has not raised this issue. They are enforcing a detrimental deal upon us, which our government is passively accepting. This is a clear insult to India and its people,” the Congress president asserted.
Noting that the “Jai Bapu, Jai Bhim, Jai Samvidhan” program will continue for the next year, Kharge stated that activities such as padyatras, dialogues, and corner meetings should be organized.
“However, the primary goal of each initiative should be to empower the organization,” he emphasized.
As part of a significant organizational overhaul, the Congress recently appointed former Chhattisgarh chief minister Bhupesh Baghel as general secretary in charge of Punjab and Rajya Sabha MP Syed Naseer Hussain as general secretary for Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh. (PTI)
