The Congress has drawn up a comprehensive plan aimed at taking the Central regime and BJP-led state governments to task over their “anti-farmer, anti-women, anti-labour and anti-poor” policies. As part of this, the party has planned to hold agitation and demonstration across the country.
This was decided in a meeting of general secretaries and in-charges chaired by Congress interim chief Sonia Gandhi through video conferencing.
The party has decided to observe 31 October, which is the birth anniversary of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel and death anniversary of Indira Gandhi, as “Kisan Adhikar Divas”. On this day, ‘Satyagrah’ and ‘Upwas’ (fast) will be held at every district headquarter of the party against “anti-farmer and anti-labour laws”.
Moreover, the party will observe “Mahila and Dalit Utpidan Virodhi Divas” (Stop Atrocities on Women & Dalits Day) on 5 November. On this day, dharnas at state headquarters of Congress will be held, highlighting the repeated atrocities against Dalits, particularly against the Hathras victim and her family.
The Congress will be organising symposiums on “Nehruvian Ideology and Nation Building” on 13 November at every state headquarters. This will be held one day before JawaharlalNehru’s birthday on 14 November as it coincides with Diwali.
An online campaign “SpeakUpForPSUs” highlighting the theme self-reliant-India built by Nehru will be launched by the Congress on 14 November.
The party has also decided to coordinate and accelerate the month-long signature campaign against the farm laws in every state.
Sources said that Sonia Gandhi wants all these programmes to be successful and has, therefore, asked general secretaries and other office-bearers to personally ensure that all agitational activities are carried out properly.
According to sources, Sonia wants workers to hit the streets like Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra did last week against Hathras incident. Rahul also staged agitation on streets against farm laws in Punjab and Haryana. In fact, Sonia’s worry is that there is a lack of coordination in the party which might defeat the purpose of the agitation planned in Sunday›s meeting. That the groupism and factionalism are rampant in the Congress gives Sonia anxious moments. She wants an atmosphere to be created against the present dispensation at the Centre and the BJP-led state governments. So, she wants workers and office-bearers to be seriously working on the course of action decided in the meeting.
In the meeting, Sonia Gandhi reminded general secretaries of their “onerous and important” responsibility at a time when “the democracy is passing through its tumultuous times” as “there is a designed attack on the Constitution and democratic traditions of India”. By slamming the Central government over its alleged anti-farmer, anti-Dalit and myopic economic approach, Sonia actually sought to set the stage for massive Congress’ nationwide agitation. Setting the tone ahead of agitation, Sonia came up with harsh criticism of the government during the meeting of AICC general secretaries.
In a message to the party functionaries and office-bearers, Sonia said, “I am confident that all of you would toil hard and stand up to the forces attacking India and its people,” Sonia said. Earlier, when Rahul and Priyanka were on streets against Hathras incident, workers looked to be mobilised. But soon thereafter, party workers fell silent. The Congress’ agitation against farm laws picked up but only in Punjab.
But Sonia wants agitation to be massive across the country. In fact, the Congress high command wants to win back the party’s traditional support base of farmers, women and backward classes.
But the problem is that the party units are not in the right shape in many states. State units have not been formed in the key states like Rajasthan and Haryana. If Congress workers and leaders get united after the high command’s direction then the party will emerge stronger