After nearly a decade in power, the Congress kicked off the Jaipur ‘chintan shivir’ fervently hoping that ‘youth power’ would bolster it to tide over the challenges being faced by the party on the economic and political front in the run up to 2014. Congress President Sonia Gandhi acknowledged that “inroads have been made into (our) Congress traditional support bases” and reminded Congressmen of the need to gear up for political challenges in states where they have been out of power for long. However, in a silent endorsement of the UPA II’s economic liberalization policies, Gandhi stressed on a “pragmatic” approach to encouraging investment for fuelling economic growth and fuelling employment.
Even as diesel prices were deregulated on the eve of the shivir, it found no mention in her address. Instead Gandhi stated that UPA’s “impressive economic growth” had helped in reducing poverty. Nevertheless, stressing on the need for inclusive growth Gandhi urged for better implementation of poverty alleviation programmes. She called upon partymen to join in “urgent remedial action.”
“Inclusiveness for us is not a ploy only to win elections,” said an assertive Sonia Gandhi.
The party will be deliberating on the issues – political, socio- economic, organizational and foreign policy challenges - flagged off by the Congress President.
Recent events such as the public outcry in the aftermath of the Delhi gang rape on December 16 which had prompted the Congress to get pro-active on women empowerment issues saw Gandhi expressing “anguish and pain” at the discrimination of women and the girl child.
The Indo- Pakistan border tensions also are likely to figure in the ongoing discussions at the shivir with Gandhi making clear at the inaugural itself that “our dialogue with (our neighbours) must be based on accepted principles of civilized behavior.”
With Congress scion Rahul Gandhi being unabashedly acknowledged as the “young face” of the Congress which would lead the party in 2014, the Congress President reiterated what the younger Gandhi has been asserting all along as incharge of the Youth Congress, “Performance not patronage must be the ladder to advancement in the party.”
With the party in poll mode, on the brink of a slew of elections in as many as ten states this year itself, the Congress chief repeatedly spoke of the organizational challenges confronting the party and the need to function as a “disciplined and united team.”
As convenor Ambika Soni informed the gathering, which included the Prime Minister and the party’s top brass, this chintan shivir was distinct from the earlier ones at Panchmarhi and Shimla, the declaration that will emerge from the shivir will be adopted by the party’s rank and file at the AICC meet on the third day and chart out the party’s course as it fends off attack from allies and Opposition alike in the run upto 2014.
