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Congress spokesperson Anand Sharma addressing the media said, "We have not given any invitation to the Prime Minister. We have invited all those who truly believe in democracy and the ideals of Nehru." He added, "the Prime Minister should remember that there is a 31st October and November 14th " in a clear reference to the government deciding not to officially celebrate the death anniversaries of Indira Gandhi and birth anniversary of Nehru.
While the Congress has extended an invite to major political parties the JD(U), Left parties, NCP as well political organizations from across the globe the ANC, the Awami League, the Communist party of China, the Nepali Congress; it has not extended any invite to the BJP.
A senior Congress leader later said, "Are we expected to now invite Sangh and RSS affiliated organizations?"
Asked whether the Congress intended to lock horns with the BJP, Sharma retorted, ""Is it not the duty of Congress to celebrate the 125th birth anniversary of Nehru, who was its leader...we are not subordinate to the government...We are neither the petitioners before the government nor we will make a demand when it comes to upholding the dignity of freedom fighters and our leaders."
The two day conference on November 17 and 18 titled "Nehru's worldview and his legacy; Democracy, Inclusion and Empowerment" will have two subject sessions -- Inclusive Democracy and People's Empowerment, and Nehru's Worldview and a Democratic Global Order for the 21st Century. The organizing committee headed by Congress President Sonia Gandhi has Anand Sharma as the convenor.
While the government has decided to celebrate November 14 as Bal Swachhta Mission under the umbrella Swachh Bharat drive, the Congress will be holding a rally on November 13 followed by events across states the next day. The year long celebrations will be kicked off by oath taking and other events related to Nehru's legacy.
