At Congress plenary, Sonia Gandhi says her innings could conclude with Bharat Jodo Yatra

If we look at the last 25 years, our victories in 2004 & 2009 elections along with the able leadership of Dr. Manmohan Singh ji gave me personal satisfaction. What gratifies me the most is that my innings could conclude with the historic Bharat Jodo Yatra.

: Smt Sonia Gandhi Ji pic.twitter.com/QncPOej17G

— Congress (@INCIndia) February 25, 2023

“This is a challenging time for Congress and the country as a whole. Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the BJP have captured every institution. The BJP is fuelling the fire of hatred. It viciously targeted minorities, women, Dalits, and tribals. We must tackle the BJP regime with vigour, reach out to people and convey our message with clarity,” she added.

Sonia also accused the government of causing economic ruin by favouring a particular businessman, making a veiled attack on Prime Minister Narendra Modi over a controversy involving industrialist Gautam Adani.

She further mentioned that the Congress was not just a political party but it reflected the voices of people of all religions, castes and genders. She asserted that the party will fulfil the dreams of all of them. The former Congress chief also alleged that the government’s actions show contempt for the values enshrined in the Constitution.

It may be recalled that Sonia Gandhi took over as Congress president in 1998 when the party was in power in just three states (Madhya Pradesh, Odisha and Mizoram). The party is currently in power in only two states (Rajasthan and Chhattisgarh).

आज देश बेहद कठ‍िन चुनौत‍ियों से गुजर रहा है। सत्ता में बैठे लोगों ने जनता के अध‍िकारों पर हमला बोल रखा है।

इसलिए आज एक ऐसे आंदोलन की जरूरत है, जहां देशवासियों को कहना होगा- सेवा, संघर्ष और बल‍िदान, सबसे पहले ह‍िंदुस्‍तान।

: कांग्रेस अध्यक्ष श्री @kharge #CongressVoiceOfIndia pic.twitter.com/MCwlcEgAGP

— Congress (@INCIndia) February 25, 2023

Speaking ahead of Sonia, Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge said the party was once again looking forward to aligning with like-minded parties to defeat the BJP. “We are ready to make sacrifices,” he asserted.

Launching a scathing attack on the saffron party, he said: “It seems there is a conspiracy by BJP to disrupt the country’s democracy. But Congress trying to unite India.”

मैं आज @RahulGandhi जी का धन्यवाद देना चाहूंगा, जिन्होंने नफरत के माहौल में रोशनी की उम्मीद देकर संघर्ष की मशाल जला दी।

‘भारत जोड़ो यात्रा’ देश की उम्मीदों की नई सुबह का नाम है, जिसकी रोशनी पूरे देश में फैल चुकी है।

: कांग्रेस अध्यक्ष श्री @kharge#CongressVoiceOfIndia pic.twitter.com/daOPZZVtxX

— Congress (@INCIndia) February 25, 2023

He also thanked party leader Rahul Gandhi for taking up the Bharat Jodo Yatra and former president Sonia Gandhi for leading the party for 22 years.

“Our aim is to generate employment for crores of people through MSMEs, control rising inflation, bridge the gap between the rich and poor, and ensure that farmers get a fair price for their produces,” he said adding: “The DNA of those in power in Delhi is anti-poor as they are attacking them.”

देश के लिए कांग्रेस का ध्येय —

सेवा, संघर्ष और बलिदान,

सबसे पहले हिंदुस्तान

#CongressVoiceOfIndia pic.twitter.com/jmIhfnulNs

— Mallikarjun Kharge (@kharge) February 25, 2023

“Our endeavour is to change governments with people’s votes, not through money bags or help from ED, CBI, or the Income-Tax Department,” the Congress chief asserted.

At the start of today’s session, he released a book and party general secretaries submitted their respective reports to the party chief. The day will witness political, economic and international affairs resolutions being deliberated upon by the delegates. A “thanksgiving” statement for Sonia was read out at the session.

कांग्रेस का 85वां महाअधिवेशन: दूसरा दिन

कांग्रेस अध्यक्ष श्री @kharge जी ने रायपुर में चल रहे कांग्रेस महाअधिवेशन में CPP चेयरपर्सन श्रीमती सोनिया गांधी जी की उपस्थिति में ध्वजारोहण कर आज के सत्र की शुरूआत की। pic.twitter.com/J8KJkMl9hh

— Congress (@INCIndia) February 25, 2023

Soon after reaching the plenary venue, party chief Kharge hoisted the party’s flag, marking the commencement of today’s programmes.

Meanwhile, Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, who arrived in Raipur on Saturday morning to attend the session, was accorded a grand welcome by party workers. A stretch of road in front of the city airport was carpeted with a thick layer of rose petals for her. More than 6,000 kg of roses were used to decorate the road for about two km where folk artists wearing colourful traditional dresses were also seen performing on a long stage erected along the route, PTI quoted a Congress leader as saying.

स्वागत, वंदन एवं अभिनंदन… @priyankagandhi जी. #INCPlenaryInCG pic.twitter.com/OVQxMIMl2H

— Bhupesh Baghel (@bhupeshbaghel) February 25, 2023

Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel, state Congress Chief Mohan Markam and other party leaders received Priyanka Gandhi Vadra as she arrived at Swami Vivekananda Airport at around 8.30 am.

#WATCH | Chhattisgarh: Congress general secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra arrives at Raipur to attend the party’s 85th Plenary Session.

Chhattisgarh CM Bhupesh Baghel was also present at the airport. pic.twitter.com/VYhVWBhqpO

— ANI MP/CG/Rajasthan (@ANI_MP_CG_RJ) February 25, 2023

While addressing the party leaders, Chhattisgarh CM Bhupesh Baghel said: “We are fortunate that this convention is being held in Chhattisgarh. It is being held at a time when the country is struggling with inflation and unemployment. Farmers and labourers are in trouble. Our relations with neighbouring countries are not good. In such a situation, the eyes of the country are on Rahul Gandhi.”

During today’s session, Congress is likely to propose a legislation against hate crimes in the country as part of its 56-point political resolution to be adopted at the plenary. Congress has also promised to pass an Anti-Discrimination Law to prohibit discrimination on the basis of religion, caste, gender or language in the supply of goods and services. Pointing out that the judiciary is constantly being threatened through direct and indirect measures which create apprehensions in their mind and the Law Minister himself was leading the blatant, the Congress promised to ensure that the independence and integrity of the judiciary is maintained and protected at all costs.

On the first day of the three-day conclave, the Congress leadership had decided against holding elections to the Congress Working Committee (CWC). After a three-hour meeting of the Steering Committee, Congress communication head Jairam Ramesh said the committee unanimously decided to authorise Kharge to nominate the CWC members. Meanwhile, the decision of Sonia, former party president Rahul Gandhi and AICC general secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra to skip this meeting surprised many.

Earlier in the day, Kharge had asked the delegates to speak freely so that a collective decision can be taken on the issue of polls for the Congress Working Committee.

Friday’s meeting, sources told The Indian Express, saw arguments and counter-arguments regarding the holding of CWC elections. Ramesh said the dominant and overwhelming view was to empower party chief Kharge to nominate the members.

The session, which comes in the backdrop of the Bharat Jodo Yatra that has been touted as a success by the party, is being attended by around 15,000 delegates. The conclave is also expected to set the tone for the party for coming electoral battles, including 2024.

(With inputs from agencies)