Senior members of Congress gathered Friday to take stock of below-expectations performance in the recent elections. The Congress Working Committee also passed a resolution drawing attention to the 'Adani issue', the ongoing Manipur conflict and “systematic attempts by the BJP to stoke communal tensions”.
“In many states, our organization is not meeting expectations. Our greatest need is to strengthen the organization… We must immediately learn from the election results and correct all our weaknesses and shortcomings at the organizational level. These results are a message for us,” Congress leader Mallikarjun Kharge stressed.
Kharge also lashed out at internal bickering within the party, claiming that the lack of unity and statements against the party's own leaders is causing great damage to the party.
“Unless we fight the elections unitedly and stop making statements against each other, how can we politically defeat our opponents?” said the conference chairman.
The CWC resolution emphasized that the election results in Maharashtra defied 'normal understanding' and appeared to be a “clear case of targeted manipulation”.
“. and more sections of society are becoming anxious about the electoral process… Congress will consider these public concerns as a national movement. Free, fair elections, a constitutional mandate, which is seriously questioned by the partisan functioning of the EC,” it added.
The group also reiterated its “firm commitment” to the Places of Worship Act and accused the BJP of 'brazen' violations.
The Congress Working Committee meeting was attended by Lok Sabha LoP Rahul Gandhi and other senior leaders including his sister and fellow Congress MP Priyanka Gandhi Vadra. Himachal Pradesh CM Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu, Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and Deputy CM DK Shivakumar were also present.
“81 people attended today's CWC meeting. We analyzed the party's performance in the recently concluded parliamentary elections. The CWC has decided to set up internal committees to look into matters related to electoral performance and organizational issues in the blocks and districts,” Congress General Secretary KC Venugopal added.
(With input from agencies)
