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NATION MARCH 03, 2023 | The Indian Eye 8

Congress without the Gandhis: Party tries

to create future roadmap amid challenges

Sachin Pilot says the party will emerge stronger after the 85th Plenary Session and that the

countdown of the NDA government has begun with the meeting

OUR BUREAU
Raipur / New Delhi
he Steering Committee of
Congress met on Friday at the
Tparty’s Plenary here and unani-
mously decided to empower Congress
President Mallikarjun Kharge to nom-
inate members to Congress Working
Committee (CWC) in view of the
challenges faced by the party and the
proposed amendments to the party’s
constitution.
There was some speculation that
Congress may opt for elections to
CWC, a demand that has been raised
from time to time by sections in the
party. CWC is the highest-decision
making body of the Congress. “During
the Steering Committee meeting to-
day, members gave their opinion and
with everyone’s consent the commit-
tee decided that the party president
should be given the power of selecting
CWC members,” party leader Jairam
Ramesh said at a press conference. Congress Parliamentary Party (CPP) Chairperson Sonia Gandhi with her son and party leader Rahul Gandhi during
He said the issue was discussed
for about two-and-a-half hours. the 85th Plenary Session of Congress, in Raipur on Friday (ANI)
“The dominant view, the over-
whelming view was that keeping in and former Congress president So- from the steering committee meeting down heavily on Congress leader Ra-
mind political challenges facing the nia Gandhi will address the session. so that they are not blamed if it de- hul Gandhi over his charge that the
country, facing the Congress party in The 85th plenary session of the cides not to hold the CWC elections. Trinamool Congress was in cahoots
its capacity as the main opposition Congress party began on Friday in Meanwhile, Congress leader with the BJP, TMC leader Mahua
and keeping in mind the far- reach- Nava Raipur, Chhattisgarh. Accord- Sachin Pilot on Friday said that the Moitra on Thursday said her party
ing amendments that we are discuss ing to sources, most of the party lead- party will emerge stronger after the was the only national alternative to
about tomorrow and day after, keep- ers were not in favor of holding the 85th Plenary Session beginning today the saffron party.
ing in mind both the factors, the unan- elections and, instead, want the party in Chhattisgarh’s Raipur and added The TMC MP’s remarks came in
imous view was that this is the time to president to be vested with the right that the countdown of the NDA gov- response to Rahul’s claim on Wednes-
empower the Congress president to to nominate members of the Congress ernment at the Centre has begun with day that the ruling party in West Ben-
nominate members to the Congress Working Committee. However, former the meeting. gal was contesting the Meghalaya As-
Working Committee,” he said. Congress president Rahul Gandhi has “A new message will go across to sembly polls to ‘help’ the BJP win. At
He said 16 articles and 32 rules been a strong advocate for elections. the members of the Congress party a public meeting on Thursday in sup-
are proposed to be amended and an The Congress president and the through this session. The resolutions port of TMC candidate from North
important amendment was to provide leader of the party in Parliament get that will be passed in the Plenary Ses- Shillong, Elgiva Gwyneth Rynjah,
50 per cent reservation in the working ex-officio membership of the CWC. sion here will be taken to the grass- Moitra said, “Had the Congress been
committee for SCs, STs, OBCs, mi- As per the party constitution, of the roots. The reverse countdown of the able to defeat the BJP, there would be
norities and youth below the age of remaining 23 members, 12 are to be NDA government for 2024 has begun no need for us (to contest the Assem-
50. Asked that no one from Gandhi elected and 11 nominated. So, the with this. The party will emerge stron- bly polls). However, since the Con-
family was present in the meeting of elections, if held, will be for 12 CWC ger after this,” Pilot told ANI ahead gress failed to win the state, we had to
steering committee and if their con- members. of the Plenary Session. When asked step forward to provide an alternative
currence taken, Jairam Ramesh said However, if the proposal to nom- about Rahul Gandhi’s Prime Min- to the people. The TMC is the only al-
the discussion was held among those inate 11 CWC members is passed, the isterial candidature in the 2024 Lok ternative (against the BJP).”
present in the meeting. remaining 12 members will also be Sabha polls, he said, “Let the resolu- “Are we supposed to sit at home
The Subjects Committee held dis- nominated by the president. Accord- tions be adopted, and all the results and watch the BJP win another general
cussion on the party resolutions on Fri- ing to sources, there are speculations will come to the fore”. election while the Congress continues
day.Party Chief Mallikarjun Kharge that the Gandhi family might stay away In another development, coming to lose state after state?” she added.

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