• Suresh Pachauri

On December 28, 1885, on the initiative of Shri A.O. Hume, people of different political and social ideologies of different parts of the country gathered on one platform at the Gokuldas Sanskrit College ground in Bombay. This political solidarity was transformed into an organization which was named ‘Congress’. Shri W.C. Banerjee became the first President of the Congress and in his presidential speech, he emphasized creation of a new environment of social harmony in the country.

Congress is not only a party, but the name of an idea and movement. That is why even after 136 years, the journey of this idea continues unabated. If we look at the period from 1915 to 1947, it was the Gandhian era of the Congress. Mahatma Gandhi transformed the freedom movement into people’s aspirations through Satyagraha and mass movement. Mahatma Gandhi started the social revolution through non-violence, equality of all religions and constructive programmes. Not only did the freedom movement reach its decisive stage under his leadership, but the Congress gained a wide support base.

Social justice was conceptualized by Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru, whom Gandhi Ji referred to as the ‘Jawahar’ of India. Pandit Nehru incorporated his intense feelings towards social justice in the freedom struggle. Nehru Ji linked India’s freedom struggle with the worldwide struggle against imperialism. Throughout his life, Pandit Nehru by actuating social harmony, worked towards main streaming even the last of the marginalized with progress.

After Nehru, Lal Bahadur Shastri took over the reins of power in his hands and even in his short tenure, he filled the entire country with a new spirit of ‘Shrammev Jayate’(‘Labour wins’)with the slogan ‘Jai Jawan Jai Kisan’. After Shastri Ji came Indira Ji, who like a visionary skilled craftsman, embodied the ideals of socialism by expressing the resolve to adapt it to the nature of Indian citizens and remove the socio-economic inequalities prevailing in the society. Indira Ji made the Congress organization capable and powerful.

Shri Rajiv Gandhi succeeded Smt. Indira Gandhi and took over the leadership of the Congress. Rajiv Gandhi was a politician committed to the overall development of India. He took all the steps to take India forward on the path of rapid progress. The development of India was his only agenda and a developed modern India was his only dream.

Rajiv Ji left the world early, but Smt. Sonia Gandhi took the lead in fulfilling his unfulfilled dreams and dedicated herself in safeguarding the martyrdom of Gandhi Ji, Indira Ji and Rajiv Ji and their legacy of service to the nation. Due to the influence of her extraordinary personality and the hard work of innumerable Congress workers, the Congress returned to the central power in 2004. After reaching the pinnacle of power, Sonia Ji set a unique example in Indian politics by leaving the post of Prime Minister after listening to the voice of her conscience.

The history of any political party is not merely a compilation of some dates and some events, but it is a systematic scientific record of the events comprising an entire Era. The dissolution of the Congress in 1969 is an important chapter in the refinement of the Congress under the leadership of Smt. Indira Gandhi. This was a period when the ancient and reactionary powers were in clash with the modern and progressive powers in the country. The progressive side of this campaign was led by Smt. Indira Gandhi which ultimately won. Indira Ji felt that the working of the Congress should be altered to fight against poverty, unemployment and inequality. She urged the Congressmen to change their way of working to make the fields, farms, factories and workers realize that the Congress’ struggle for socialism is one of their own struggles.

Congress has seen many ups and downs during its long history. Experiencing both- victory as well as defeat, it has covered a long strenuous path of politics. During 1977-78, many big stalwarts of Congress left Indira Ji to join the ruling Janata Party, but the common workers of Congress had unflinching faith in Indira Ji. On January 2, 1978, history repeated itself and the Congress was split again. Taking a visionary step, Smt. Indira Gandhi formed a new party (Congress-I) and the people of the country reposed faith in Indira Ji’s leadership by considering Congress-I as the real Congress. Indira Ji gave new strength to the party by connecting the Congress with the hopes and aspirations of the common people.

The essential elements for a political party in a democratic system are - 1. Ideology, 2. Objective, 3. Active worker, 4. Struggle to achieve the goal, 5. Programmes for the renewal of society. The coordination of these elements determines the activeness, condition and direction of a political party. Disciplined and trained workers are needed in any political party. The values of discipline and dedication come only from the training programme. The All-India Congress Committee had decided to organize a training camp in 1974 by amending the Constitution of the Congress. Even Late Rajiv Gandhi Ji had also established ‘Vikas Kendra’ in February 1983 under the aegis of Indian Youth Congress, through which training programme was started for the youth. How should the party be moulded according to the need of the time and how can the Congress’ support base be increased? Reflecting on this, the Working Committee of the Congress emphasized the need for training programmes for the propagation of the ideology of the Congress Party among the workers, which should include the policies, principles, contemporary issues and future programmes of the Congress Party.

These days the questions being raised about the future of the Congress seem less factual but more bias-driven. The Congress has never been ignorant of failures and defeats, but it is a fact that whenever non-Congress governments have come to power at the Centre, the economy in the country has gone for a toss (in shambles) and the alliance of casteist, opportunistic and extremist powers has got strengthened. In such situations, the moral values of secularism have always been hurt and no work has been done for the welfare of the poor, weaker sections and the untouchables.

On the occasion of its Foundation Day, Congress needs an overview of its glorious past, introspection of the present situation and contemplation of a bright future. We are proud of the leadership of the Congress in Smt. Sonia Gandhi Ji and Shri Rahul Gandhi and Smt. Priyanka Gandhi, whose resolve is to work with the spirit of service in the interest of the country. With unshakable resolve, clear direction and strong intentions in the present circumstances, the Congress has to stand up to the challenge of power-driven forces, so that in the coming times, the Congress will gain the trust and support of all sections of the society because of our policies, principles and programmes.

(The author has been Minister of State for Defense Production, Personnel and Parliamentary Affairs in the Government of India)