Sonia Gandhi said the ‘Bharat Jodo Yatra’ was a “turning point” for the Congress.
Raipur:
Congress leader Sonia Gandhi hinted at her retirement from politics on Saturday, saying she was happy her “innings could conclude with the Bharat Jodo Yatra”, which she described as “a turning point” for the party.
Addressing 15,000 delegates on the second day of the party’s three-day brainstorming conclave in Raipur, the capital of Chhattisgarh, Ms Gandhi said: “What pleases me most is that my innings could be concluded with the Bharat Jodo Yatra. The Yatra has come as a turning point. It has proven that the people of India overwhelmingly want harmony, tolerance and equality.”
“It has renewed the rich legacy of dialogue between our party and the people through mass contact programs. It has shown us all that Congress stands with the people and is ready to fight for them,” she said.
“I congratulate all party employees who have worked hard for the Yatra… I especially thank Rahul [Gandhi] ji, whose determination and leadership were crucial to the success of the Yatra,” said Ms Gandhi.
Despite hints about her retirement, the 76-year-old former congress leader left people guessing whether she would run for parliament again from Raebareli in Uttar Pradesh or leave the seat for her daughter Priyanka Gandhi Vadra in the next Lok Sabha elections.
Ms Gandhi called the current period a “particularly challenging time” for Congress and the country, saying: “Prime Minister [Narendra] Modi and the BJP-RSS regime (Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh) have ruthlessly conquered and undermined every single institution.”
“It has ruthlessly silenced every voice of the opposition. It has caused economic ruin by favoring a chosen few businessmen at the expense of all others. And most disturbingly, it fuels the fires of fear and hatred against compatriots,” said she.
“It targeted minorities and ignored crimes and discrimination against them, against women, against Dalits and against Adivasi. It mocked Gandhi ji and through his words and actions shows contempt for our values and our constitution,” Ms Gandhi said.
Summoning party workers, she said today’s situation reminded her of when she entered politics. “Then, as now, we faced a difficult struggle ahead. And at this crucial time, each of us bears a special responsibility to our party and the country,” Ms Gandhi said.
“The Congress is not just a political party. We are the vehicle through which the people of India fight for freedom, equality, brotherhood and justice for all… The road ahead is not an easy one, but my experience tells me that the victory will be ours,” she said.
The 85th plenary session of the Congress began a day ago and is expected to make key decisions for the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, including ties with other opposition parties.
It is being held in the wake of the Bharat Jodo Yatra, a massive foot march across the country led by Rahul Gandhi that aimed to rally supporters and address the disconnect between the party and voters.
On the first day of the session, the Congress Steering Committee decided not to hold elections for the party’s highest council, the Working Committee, and authorized the new party chief Mallikarjun Kharge to nominate its members.
After successive electoral defeats, years of internal bickering for an overhaul and an exodus of leaders, Sonia Gandhi passed the reins of the 137-year-old outfit to Mr Kharge, a loyalist, in October. Considered the first family of the party, the Gandhis hold it tight.
