KUMAR ANSHUMAN

'Keep egos away, focus on unity' - By Kumar Anshuman Story Dated: Saturday, January 19, 2013 12:48 hrs IST Sun Feb 10 11:29:34 GMT 2013 In the opening speech of the two-day Chintan Shivir in Jaipur, UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi started with her ‘chinta’(concern) on several challenges faced by the party in recent times. Attended by Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh, Rahul Gandhi, cabinet ministers, minister of states, senior party officials from the Centre and states and members from the Youth Congress and NSUI, this is the third Chintan Shivir happening after Panchmarhi, in 1998, and Shimla, in 2003. “This interaction is different in at least two respects from our previous sessions in Panchmarhi and Shimla,” said Sonia. “Firstly, it is taking place at a time where we have been in the government, at the Center, for last nine years. Secondly, the last nine years have been a period of tremendous economic growth, social change and technological innovations. New aspirations are manifesting themselves. They call for new responses.”  She, however, added: It is also taking place when we are not in government in a number of states and when we face serious challenges in states, which we long considered our bastions.” Empowering youth, especially women, was the other highlight from her speech, indicating the way forward for the party. “A significant number of participants are from the younger generation,” she said. “This reflects our priorities and resonates with the demographic reality of our country.” For the first time, elected leaders from the Indian Youth Congress and the NSUI were also invited for the Chintan Baithak. In her speech, Sonia confessed the bias towards certain sections of the society, as they have been the traditional supporters of the party, at the same time, also recognised the need to address the middle class. “We cannot allow our growing educated and middle classes to be disillusioned and alienated from the political process.” Though Sonia praised the ‘Congress’ way of thinking’ and ‘Congress’ way of doing things’, she raised several questions on the functioning of the party and also the declining support base. “While we continue to be the nation’s pre-eminent political party, we must admit that we now face increased competition and inroads have been made into our traditional support bases,” were her words. “There are some states, where we have been out of office for too long. Although I do believe that being in power is not the sole purpose of political activity, this does have an adverse impact on our morale and organisational ability.” She praised the UPA government for introducing some truly revolutionary programmes, but was also concerned for this has not been transferred into political support in some states. The recent uproar and protests over corruption and women security issues have caused significant damage to the image of the party and the mention of this in her speech reflected the worry in the top leadership. “We see various protest movements across the country, relating to land, forest, water and livelihood, tribal and gender issues. Our party must proactively take up these causes.” Security of women has become an issue after the Delhi gang-rape and the public anger is a serious concern for the party. “I must say with great anguish and pain that discrimination against the girl child continues. Atocities on women, both in urban and rural India, are a blot on our collective conscience and a matter of great shame. These are disturbing trends that should shake and awake us,” said Sonia. Sonia chose this as an occasion to comment on the recent cross border issues with Pakistan. Though she did not name any country, she argued that better relations with immediate neighbours will make for regional peace and positive impact on border states. “However, let us be clear. We will never compromise on our vigil and preparedness to deal with terrorism and threats on our borders,” she quickly added. Sonia urged the party members to set aside their personal differences and work as a team. “Why do we forget that in the party’s victory lies the victory of each of us,” she asked. Performance not the patronage must be the ladder of advancement in the party. This was her advice to the younger generation. However Sonia showed her unhappiness over lavish lifestyle and extravagant celebrations especially marriage celebrations by the party cadres. “Celebrating weddings, festivals and happy events is one thing; but what of lavish and ostentatious displays of wealth, pomp and status? Does this not beg the question, where is the wealth coming from?” “We have to strike a balance between respecting these alliances and ensuring that the party’s rejuvenation is not compromised,” Sonia said in her opening remarks.