Congress Working Committee adopted two Resolutions June 8, 2024

This meeting of the CWC congratulates the people of our country for voting so powerfully to preserve our democracy, protect the republic’s Constitution and enhance social and economic justice. They have decisively rejected both the substance and style of governance over the past decade. The verdict of the people is not just a political loss but a personal and moral defeat for the Prime Minister who sought the mandate in his name and ran a campaign anchored in lies, hate, prejudice, divisiveness and extreme bigotry. The verdict of the people is clearly against the undermining of democracy and democratic institutions that has taken place since 2014.

The CWC thanks the people of the country for placing the Indian National Congress firmly on the path of revival. Its leaders and workers persevered. People across the country have infused new life into the Indian National Congress for which it is truly grateful. The Party fought a superb campaign, the heart of which was a vigorous defence of our republic’s Constitution and the provisions for reservations for scheduled castes, scheduled tribes and OBCs. We provided a clear alternative political, economic and social vision. The campaign had a distinctive pro-poor focus and highlighted the urgent need for a nation-wide socio-economic caste census to deepen social justice and empowerment and for addressing the demands of youth and farmers immediately. The CWC would be remiss if it did not acknowledge four stalwarts who spearheaded the Party’s well-designed and well-executed campaign.

The sheer energy and determination of Congress President Mallikarjun Khargeji was an inspiration to everyone in the Party. He was bold and fearless – both in Parliament and outside. Commanding such wide respect as he does for all his accomplishments in his long and distinguished political career, he led from the front and shaped the Party’s campaign in a most effective manner. The Chairperson of the Congress Parliamentary Party Smt. Sonia Gandhi was always available for guidance, advice and support and her interventions at key moments of the campaign made a big difference. The campaign across the country, but particularly in Uttar Pradesh, of the AICC General Secretary Smt. Priyanka Gandhi Vadra was nothing short of being brilliant. She exposed the BJP relentlessly in a most telling manner and communicated the Congress’ own key messages very powerfully.

Former Congress President Shri Rahul Gandhi has to be singled out largely because of the ‘Bharat Jodo Yatra’ and the ‘Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra’ that he designed and led. Both these Yatras that reflected his own thinking and personality were historic turning points in our nation’s politics and instilled hope and confidence in lakhs of our workers and crores of our voters. Shri Rahul Gandhi’s election campaign was single-minded, sharp and pointed and more than any other individual, it was he who made the protection of our republic’s Constitution the central issue in the 2024 elections. The ‘Paanch Nyay-Pachees Guarantee’ programme which resonated so very powerfully in the election campaign was the outcome of Rahul Ji’s yatras in which he listened to the fears, concerns and aspirations of all people, especially youth, women, farmers, workers, Dalits, Adivasis, OBCs and minorities.

The CWC deeply appreciates the contributions made by the PCC Presidents, CLP Leaders, office-bearers of AICC, PCCs and DCCs, Block Presidents, booth-level agents and each and everyone of this great and mighty organization. Of course, the CWC warmly congratulates the Congress candidates who have won and have become such a big force in the Lok Sabha. The CWC recognizes the brave fight put up by the candidates who lost and while sharing their disappointment extends all good wishes to them as they continue their political activities in the Party. The CWC thanks the INDIA parties for fighting so well in different states. INDIA parties in UP, West Bengal, Tamil Nadu and Maharashtra especially performed exceedingly well. The 18th Lok Sabha will be influenced hugely by the INDIA parties.

The CWC would be failing in its duty if it did not take note of the disappointing performance of the Indian National Congress in some states in the midst of its overall revival and rejuvenation. Urgent steps should and will be taken to address the shortcomings in the states where the Party had every reason to hope for a better result but where that expectation was not fulfilled. Finally, the CWC while expressing its happiness at the Congress’ turnaround also acknowledges that many challenges remain. We have recovered and revived no doubt but we still have a long way to go to occupy the pre-eminent position the Party once held in the nation’s political life. The people of India have spoken—the Congress has been given another chance. It is now up to us to build on it. We must and we will. That is the solemn resolve of this meeting of the CWC. The Indian National Congress will continue to be steadfast in its commitment to social and economic justice and safeguarding the Constitution and its principles, values and provisions.

Another resolution passed unanimously

CWC unanimously requested Shri Rahul Gandhi Ji, to take the Leader of the Opposition position in the Lok Sabha. All the participants unanimously put up their views on this issue. Everybody was unanimous that Rahul Ji should take Leader of the Opposition position in the Lok Sabha because we already told. During this election, we raised so many issues, burning issues; unemployment, price rise, Agniveer-like issues, women issues, social justice issues. Therefore, these issues have to be continued in a greater manner inside the Parliament also. Shri Rahul Gandhi Ji is the best person to lead this campaign inside the Parliament.