The Congress Working Committee (CWC) discussed various issues on Friday and passed a resolution that expressed concern over the alleged compromise of the integrity of the electoral process. The resolution stated that the party would soon launch a movement in response.
The CWC, held during the current Winter Session of Parliament, also criticized the Central government for its "stubborn refusal" to discuss urgent issues, such as the violence in Manipur, incidents in Sambhal (Uttar Pradesh), and certain matters pertaining to a group.
The committee demanded a discussion on the "systematic attempts by the BJP to inflame communal tensions in various states", especially in Uttar Pradesh.
In addition, the CWC reaffirmed its commitment to pursue its core agenda, which included demands for a caste census, scrapping the 50 per cent cap on reservations for Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, and OBCs, checking the "emerging monopolies in the economy" driven by political patronage, and addressing issues such as inflation and rising unemployment.
The CWC discussed the challenges faced by the Indian National Congress following the results of the four assembly elections. The overwhelming victory of Priyanka Gandhi Vadra in the Wayanad by-election has generated a massive wave of enthusiasm among the party workers especially, as well among the wider public, says the CWC.
The CWC thanked the people of Jharkhand for the decisive mandate they have given the JMM, INC and other INDIA parties.
"They have resoundingly rejected the dangerously divisive and poisonously polarising campaign of the BJP spearheaded by the Prime Minister, Union Home Minister, the CM of Assam and the former CM of Madhya Pradesh," said the resolution.
It thanked the people of J&K for placing confidence in the NC-INC alliance in such an unequivocal manner.
Accepting that the party's performance should have been better, it would continue to press for restoration of full-fledged statehood to J&K, says the resolution.
The CWC also conceded that the party's performance in Haryana had been disappointing.
With an impressive margin, the INC should have formed the government in the state; however, this was not the case. The resolution said electoral malpractices that could have influenced the results in the state had been ignored.
The resolution addressed the party’s performance in Maharashtra, along with that of its MVA allies, which was described as inexplicable and shocking. The outcome of the elections in the state seemed beyond normal understanding and appeared to be a clear case of targeted manipulation, it says.
The CWC called upon the INC’s organisation at all levels to summon the maximum strength and resilience at this juncture.
"There is no reason to get disheartened or panic. We must persevere with renewed determination and resolve. Unity and discipline are called for now more than ever before."
As per the resolution, the issues the party presented to the people during the Bharat Jodo Yatra, the Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra, and the Lok Sabha election campaign are "the issues of daily concern to the people of our country".
The party must continue to fortify its narrative. This includes caste census to ensure full social justice, removal of the 50 per cent ceiling on reservations for scheduled castes, scheduled tribes and OBCs, control of growing monopolies in the economy through political patronage and continuing price rise and growing unemployment," says the CWC.
The CWC in resolution believes that the integrity of the entire electoral process is being severely compromised.
Free and fair elections is a Constitutional mandate, which is being brought into serious question by the partisan functioning of the Election Commission. Increasing sections of society are getting frustrated and highly apprehensive. The Congress will take these public concerns as a national movement.
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