Sonia Gandhi asks Cong to brace for political and economic challenges

Congress President Sonia Gandhi today called on partymen to gear up for political challenges in states where they have been out of power for long.

“There is increased competition, and inroads have been made in our traditional strongholds,” Gandhi said while addressing party members at the two-day ‘Chintan Shivir’, which kicked off at the Birla Auditorium here today.

With the party in poll mode for elections in as many as 10 states this year itself and the general elections in 2014, the Congress chief repeatedly spoke of organisational challenges confronting the party and the need to function as a “disciplined and united team.”

“Is it not the case that we have floundered on many opportunities that people are willing to give us, simply because we have been unable to function as a disciplined and united team?” Gandhi asked.

In a silent endorsement of the United Progressive Alliance (UPA)-II’s economic liberalisation policies, Gandhi laid stress on a “pragmatic” approach to encourage investment for fuelling growth and generating employment.

Though diesel prices were partially deregulated on the eve of the Shivir, it found no mention in her address. Instead, Gandhi stated the “impressive economic growth” had helped in reducing poverty. Stressing the need for inclusive growth, Gandhi urged for better implementation of poverty alleviation programmes. She called upon partymen to take “urgent remedial action”.

“Inclusiveness for us is not a ploy only to win elections,” said Gandhi.

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 against women and the girl child.

India-Pakistan border tension will also figure in the ongoing discussions at the shivir, with Gandhi making it clear at the inaugural session that “our dialogue (with our neighbours) must be based on accepted principles of civilised behaviour.”

With Congress scion Rahul Gandhi being unabashedly acknowledged as the “young face” of the party who would lead it 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 for advancement in the party.”

As convenor, Ambika Soni informed the gathering, which included the prime minister and other top leaders, this Chintan Shivir was distinct from the earlier ones at Panchmarhi and Shimla. And the declaration that will emerge from the shivir will be adopted by the party’s rank and file at the AICC meet on Sunday, when the party’s future course will be charted as it fends off attack from its allies and the opposition alike in the run-up to 2014 elections.