From today i.e. Friday, the top Congress leaders will hold a Chintan Shivir for the ‘revival’ of the party in Udaipur, Rajasthan. Over 400 office-bearers, including top Congress leaders, who are facing an “unexpected crisis” due to electoral debacle in several states, will brainstorm for three days in Udaipur to revive the party.
Will consider giving preference to new faces
Top Congress leaders are actively considering to bring in new faces at the leadership level. The Congress may fix an age limit for party leaders to hold positions in the organization and contest elections at all levels. Apart from this, the Rajya Sabha is also seriously considering fixing the limit of one term for the members. The idea is part of an effort to give the party a “young look”.
Two senior leaders who played a key role in deliberations for the Congress Chintan Shivir, which is starting in Udaipur, told The Indian Express that the party is “seriously thinking” about the two ideas, though it is not yet clear whether To what extent will these proposals go.” A leader said, “I can tell you that certainly an idea is being worked out in this direction. We are thinking seriously, but I can’t say right now how it will happen.”
What will be the proposal of Congress
Sources said that nothing has come to the fore on how the two proposals will be finalised. For example, what should be the age limit: 70 or 75? And whether the terms of the Rajya Sabha have to be limited to 1, 2 or 3? Another consideration is to ensure that no new members above a certain age are included in any organizational body.
This is the first such brainstorming session in which 430 Congress leaders have gathered since the Congress party’s electoral defeat in 2014. Addressing a meeting of the Congress Working Committee earlier this week, party president Sonia Gandhi had said that she was “determined” to ensure that all the “ideological, electoral and managerial challenges faced by the party in the camp”. Share your thoughts for starting a reorganized organization for
A leader said, “Whenever there is organizational reform, be it the CWC or the Central Election Committee, care will be taken to ensure that a certain percentage of youth leaders get a place. The same will apply to PCC (state units) and district committees.” A leader said, “A plan ahead may be ready.”
Will Sonia Rahul or someone else be the President of Congress?
Sonia Gandhi is 75 years old. There are indications that she will clear the way for a new Speaker in August-September or until the CWC itself insists that she should continue till the 2024 Lok Sabha elections. Addressing a press conference in Udaipur, Congress Communications Department chief Randeep Surjewala reiterated that “Congress people (people) want Rahul Gandhi to take over as Congress president.” But he said the organizational election process to elect a new president was underway and it would be completed by August.
Congress to release ‘Nav Sankalp’ document
Party sources said that the ‘Nav Sankalp’ document that will be released after this ‘Chintan Shivir’, which is going to be held in Udaipur on May 13-15, will be an actionable declaration. A message will also be given in this that it is necessary to have a “strong Congress” for alliance at the national level. Sources said that the change in the level of Congress President may not be discussed in this camp as its election has already been announced.
In this contemplation camp, 430 leaders in six different groups will discuss on topics related to politics, social justice and empowerment, economy, organisation, farmers and agriculture and youth, that is, about 70 leaders will be involved in each group. Party’s Chief Spokesperson Randeep Surjewala said, “Today, when the country is passing through a period of democratic, economic and social ‘transition’, the Congress will once again take a ‘new’ initiative to bring the country on the path of progress, prosperity and progress. Taking a firm pledge of ‘Sankalp’.
The Chintan Shivir will begin on May 13 with the address of Congress President Sonia Gandhi. After this, the leaders in six different groups will discuss and then the conclusion drawn from it will be approved by the Congress Working Committee on May 15 as a ‘new resolution’. Rahul Gandhi will address the camp on May 15.