Congress party kicked off its three-day brainstorming session, "Chintan Shivir' on Friday. In pic: Congress leaders Bhupinder Singh Hooda, Shakti Singh Govil, Pratap Singh Bajwa and others during a press conference at the seesion in Udaipur on Saturday.
Signalling that the Congress is planning to roll out some drastic changes in its organisational set-up, party president Sonia Gandhi said on Friday that it was time for the party to “self-reflect” as the situation that the party is confronted with is “unprecedented”. In pic: Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot with Randeep Surjewala at media centre at Chintan Shivir in Udaipur on Saturday.
Sonia Gandhi, during her inaugural speech on Friday, asked the delegates to speak with an open mind but ensure that the message which emerges from Udaipur should be – strengthening of the organisation, determination and unity. She said the Congress is not unmindful of the recent electoral setbacks. Neither is it oblivious to the arduous struggle that it has to wage. In pic: Congress leaders Salman Khursheed, Digvijay Singh and Kumari Shelja during a press conference at Chintan Shivir in Udaipur on Saturday.
Over 30 years after P V Narasimha Rao opened up the Indian economy and ushered in path-breaking liberalisation, the Congress Saturday called for a “reset” of the “economic policies” taking into account global and domestic developments. The party also lashed out at the BJP government’s management of the economy, but admitted the party has “failed” to communicate to the people the “distressful situation” of the Indian economy. In pic: P Chidambaram, Salman Anees Soz and Supriya Shrinate during a press conference at Chintan Shivir in Udaipur on Saturday.
Former finance minister P Chidambaram, the convenor of the Congress panel deliberating economic issues at the Chintan Shivir, said: “A Congress-led government ushered in a new era of liberalisation in 1991. The country has reaped enormous benefits in terms of wealth creation, new businesses and new entrepreneurs, a huge middle class, millions of jobs, exports and lifting 27 crore people out of poverty during a 10-year period. After 30 years, it is felt that taking into account global and domestic developments, it may be necessary to contemplate a reset of the economic policies. In pic: P Chidambaram during a press conference at Chintan Shivir in Udaipur on Saturday.
Congress president Sonia Gandhi and Vice president Rahul Gandhi at Chintan Shivir meeting in Jaipur on Friday.
Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot clicks photographs at Chintan Shivir in Udaipur on Saturday.
Congress leader Sachin Pilot at the media centre of Chintan Shivir in Udaipur on Saturday.
Congress leader Kanhaiya Kumar and other delegates at Chintan Shivir in Udaipur on Saturday.