After the recent debacle in the assembly elections held in 5 states, the Congress party held its ‘Chintan Shivir’ at Udaipur( Rajasthan).
Connect with people, agitate on street, and usher in organizational reforms, these three broad themes figured in the Udaipur declaration that was adopted by the Congress party. The Shivir was held so that the party can be battle-ready for the next round of assembly elections and the 2024 Lok Sabha election. The declaration also talked about fixing a retirement age for elected representatives but did not mention any cut-off age.
In the Chintan Shivir, Congress outlines plans for the revival of the party, here are a few highlights:
1One family, one ticket rule, with the exception only for another family member working in the party for the last 5 years.
My comment – this way family rule will continue because most of the Congress leaders have their family members enrolled in the party, and they see that the family member is working at some state/district level. There may be a scenario the Father, Son/Daughter, and Grand Children get tickets.
2 No person should hold one party position for more than 5 years.
My comment-It is not clear whether it applies to the President/Vice President/General Secretary of the party. To me, it looks like if this provision is also for top posts, then I expect a scenario, which is Sonia Gandhi, Rahul Gandhi, and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra in turns after every 5 years.
3 50% representation to those below 50 years of age at all levels of the organization.
My comment- If it is implemented then it is very good. They should have also adopted that the 50% of tickets in the elections should be given to people who are less than 50 years of age.
4 Party President to form an advisory group from among Congress Working Committee members to deliberate on political changes.
My comment-With Gandhi family holding the rein of the party, I do not think it is going to happen. As they are not in habit of listening or taking advice from the others. It is just an eye wash.
5 Political Affairs Committee in every state.
My comments- I think on paper it is already existing in every state, but of no use.
6 Public insight, election management, and national training departments to set up.
My comment- If it happens then quite good, but they should have proper person for the each job. If they start putting people of their choice, then it is no good.
7 Task force will set up to initiate organizational reforms.
My comment- With Gandhi family member heading the Congress party for last 25 years, no drastic organizational reforms have taken place, to me it does not look like that this will happen.
Other than above it was also announced that Bharat Jodo Yatra from 2nd October, that will cover from Kanyakumari to Kashmir “ to strengthen the bonds of social harmony that are under stress, preserve the foundational values of our Constitutions and highlight the day to day concerns of people”.
The demand of G-23- the ginger group pushing for internal reforms- to revive the Parliamentary Board was not accepted.
On paper every thing proposed in Chitan Shivir look very appropriate but only problem is whether the Congress party will be able to implement them, because their record in this matter for last so many decade is dismal.
Do you know what were expenditure for hosting this Chintan Shivir. The party had booked about 550 rooms in 3 five star hotels for 4 days, the average rent of each room was RS 18,000 per day, which amounts to approx Rs 4 Cr. Then there were luxury cars like Mercedes, BMW were booked for the use of delegates/guests, the news is that 600 luxury cars were brought from other States. Plus expenses on food, decoration and other items. One can imagine how much Congress party must have spend on this Chitan Shivir.
All these on discussing how the party is going to reform, and how to improve the condition of common man in the country. It looked like it was mere whitewash to show the Gandhi family detractors in the party, that the family is still controlling the party.
Waiting for your views on this blog.
Anil Malik
Mumbai, India
19th May 2022.