Belagavi CWC meet: National movements, organisational strengthening among decisions

After the conclusion of the movement in January at Mhow, it will take the shape of a nationwide public outreach campaign called the Samvidhan Bachao Rashtriya Padayatra (Save the Constitution march), which will see participation from party leaders in all states, the party said. The party said that 2025 will be a year of organisational strengthening for the party on all levels.

“To sustain the momentum generated by these transformative movements, significant reforms within the organisation at all levels are imperative. While recognising that organisational renewal is a continuing process, it must be accelerated and intensified now. The CWC commends the initiative of the Congress president in launching the Sangathan Srijan Karyakram, which is set to be implemented right away on a priority basis. The CWC and the Indian National Congress are fiercely committed to protecting the Indian Constitution and the ideals of the Indian Independence Movement,” a resolution read.

Speaking after the CWC meeting, Congress communication head Jairam Ramesh said five important decisions were taken during the CWC meeting. On strengthening the organisation, he said, “Decisions will be taken at the block, mandal, and district levels by the Congress leadership. It will start immediately and will conclude in 2025.” The resolution said that the next AICC session would be held in the first half of April 2025 in Gujarat.

Hailing B R Ambedkar, the CWC resolution said: “The Union Home Minister’s denigration of Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar in Parliament is the latest instance of the RSS-BJP’s decades-long project to undermine the Constitution. The CWC reiterates the demand for the Union Home Minister’s resignation as well as for an apology to the nation from him.” The resolution added that the CWC “was distressed by the ongoing degradation of our democracy” with “institutions such as the judiciary, the Election Commission, and the media have been politicised through executive pressure”.

In another resolution, the CWC called upon all party workers to stand united and work tirelessly to protect, preserve and promote Mahatma Gandhi’s legacy.

A total of 132 members of the extended CWC took part in the Belagavi meeting.

Sources told The Indian Express that Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi made two presentations at the CWC, detailing the poll percentage difference in the recent Maharashtra elections and also mentioned the 73 lakh voters added in Maharashtra after the Lok Sabha elections.

According to sources, the deputy leader of the Congress in Lok Sabha, Gaurav Gogoi, said at the meeting that Rahul needs to meet workers from the ground and work in a way that is similar to how he worked during the Bharat Jodo Yatras. He called for party workers, not just MPs, to be accommodated to meet Rahul, sources said.

Congress leader Supriya Shrinate told the CWC that the Congress needs to be firm on its “secular credentials” and “not succumb to pressure exerted by the BJP by calling the Congress a pro-Muslim party”, said a source.