The slogan of ‘Bharat Jodo’ has been given to the party workers from the Congress’s Chintan Shivir, which lasted for three days in Udaipur, Rajasthan. The three big messages that have emerged after the brainstorming in this camp are how to counter Hindutva of the BJP, organizational change and strong efforts to reach out to Dalits, Adivasis and minorities.
BJP’s fight against Hindutva: According to the report of The Indian Express, the question also arose as to how the Congress should associate with Hinduism to take on the BJP’s Hindutva politics. For example, many Congress leaders have argued for years that the party should establish contact with the Arya Samaj. Which is outside the influence of Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS).
In fact, the issue of standing with the minority communities is accepted by all, but the question of how to bring back religious Hindus in its fold remains unresolved for the Congress.
It is clear that the communication system of Congress does not match with the kind of campaign system of BJP. It was decided in the Chintan Shivir that the party should keep its doors open in the states where alliance is necessary. However, Rahul Gandhi is of the opinion that the regional party is not capable of fighting the BJP. Because they have no ideology.
In the three-day long Chintan Shivir, several party leaders, especially Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel argued that the party should not shy away from celebrating Hindu festivals, participating in religious-cultural activities and establishing ties with religious groups. needed.
Also important in the camp was the issue that the party should engage with social and cultural groups, NGOs, trade unions, think tanks and civil society groups.
organizational change: Ideas on organizational change were also kept in the Chintan Shivir. There will be an emphasis on bringing young leaders (under the age of 50) into leadership roles at all organizational levels. At the same time, it is believed that the way for the return of Rahul Gandhi as Congress President in August may be cleared. In such a situation, efforts will be made to give more responsibility to the youth in the high level posts of Congress.
Access to Dalits, Tribals and Minorities: The third issue in the Chintan Shivir was to make a strong hold on Dalits, Adivasis and minorities. In fact, the party wants to reach out to the Scheduled Castes (SC), Scheduled Tribes (ST), Other Backward Classes (OBC) communities and minorities to strengthen itself. However, their quota of representation in the organization could not be decided.
At present, the party’s constitution states that not less than 20 per cent of the seats in various committees shall be reserved for SC/ST/OBC and minorities. There was an emphasis on increasing it to 50 per cent but it did not happen.