New Delhi: Addressing the Mahila Congress’ 2-day National Convention at Talkatora Stadium in Delhi, Congress President Shri Mallikarjun Kharge on August 17, 2023, said that it is the ‘Grand Old Party’ which has saved the Democracy and the Constitution that people like Narendra Modi and Amit Shah could occupy the post of the Prime Minister and the Home Minister. He also said that Rahul Gandhi talks about ‘Bharat Jodo’ (unite India), while Modi believes in ‘Bharat todo’ (divide India) and also charged the Prime Minister of not visiting Manipur even after three months of the violence there.

“…We requested the Prime Minister to speak about the atrocities happening in Manipur, but he spoke in Parliament only after we moved a No-Confidence Motion,” Kharge Ji said. “So many lives were lost, so many houses burnt and thousands of people displaced in Manipur, yet the Prime Minister spoke nothing about it.”

Congress President congratulated Mahila Congress President Ms. Netta D’Souza for organising such a programme in Delhi; aimed to empower the women. He also emphasised that women can work hard on the ground to defeat the BJP in the coming Assembly elections and the Lok Sabha elections.

Speaking on the occasion, Shri Kharge urged the women leaders of the Congress to work hard and oust the BJP-led government in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections. “Our Party’s women cadre will discuss ideas and strategies for the upcoming general elections 2024 and I am certain they will oust the BJP government next year,” he added.

Citing his induction into the Congress by former Prime Minister Smt. Indira Gandhi, Kharge Ji said that he was made Block President in 1969 and two years later he became an MLA and he did not lose a single election for 50 years. He also said that when he lost in the 2019 Lok Sabha election, he was sent to the Rajya Sabha by former Party President Smt. Sonia Gandhi.

“I am grateful to her. In politics no matter how much you work, there are very few who recognise that and I feel very happy about that. Even the Party President post that I got was due to the support of Rahul Gandhi and Smt. Sonia Gandhi,” Congress President said.

He also said that he did not lobby in the Party for any post and asserted that everyone in the Party is contributing to the development of the country. “This is a service. What Mahatma Gandhi got, did he become the Prime Minister or President of India? For his entire life, he wore a dhoti and got us independence. And today due to the independence, which he got for us, we are seeing the Prime Minister, democracy, MLAs and other things,” he said.

Slamming the BJP, Shri Mallikarjun Kharge, who is also the Leader of Opposition in the Rajya Sabha said, “Few days ago, he (Modi) gave a speech in Parliament but he did not remember (Pandit Jawaharlal) Nehru, Gandhiji, Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, BR Ambedkar and it was all about ‘Me’ and ‘Me’. He keeps on boasting that one Modi is heavier on all opposition. The arrogance of one person is always dangerous.”

Taking a dig at the Prime Minister, Congress President Shri Mallikarjun Kharge said: “On August 15, Modi ji said he would hoist the Tricolour at the Red Fort in 2024 as well. I think he will definitely hoist the Tricolour, but at his home and not at the Red Fort.”

Slamming the Prime Minister, the Congress President said, “We have saved democracy, saved the independence, saved the Constitution and this is the reason why you are Prime Minister today. We have kept democracy alive then only you became the Prime Minister and even Amit Shah became the Union Home Minister or else they would have stayed in Gujarat.”

He also said that no one would have come to know about them (Modi and Shah).

“And this is the reason why I sometimes say that when Modi many times asks what the Congress has done in the last 70 years and criticises us... Even Morarji Desai, Atal Bihari Vajpayee, V.P. Singh, H.D. Devegowda and I.K. Gujral became Prime Minister. But even after that, he says what the Congress has done,” he charged.

Shri Mallikarjun Kharge criticised the Prime Minister for talking about the Party which fought for the independence of the country. Recalling the sacrifices of Indira Gandhi and Rajiv Gandhi, the Congress leader said that she and her son lost their life for keeping the country together. All such leaders, who have sacrificed their life for the country, are from the Congress but you have none.”

Hitting out at the BJP, Congress President added, “They (BJP) want to send leaders to jail. If someone gives a speech or says something that offends then, a case is registered against him. They are in the habit of jailing leaders and registering false FIRs against them. Many are being put behind bars for speaking the truth.”

“Rahul Gandhi went there as a common man because he was disqualified as an MP then and if he can go there to witness the pain of the people but they did not go there even after his visit.” He asked, “They are not ready for discussion, then how will they save women? Women are being raped, women have to escape, their children and husbands are dying. And when people are dying, these people while sitting in Delhi, they are campaigning for elections. They went to Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Chhattisgarh. And in Manipur where everything is being destroyed, why can’t they go there?”

A REPORT

New Delhi: The All-India Mahila Congress (AIMC) organised two-day national conference, ‘Pratigya - Ujjwal Bharat Ki’ at Talkatora stadium in New Delhi from August 17 to 18, 2023. Congress President Shri Mallikarjun Kharge inaugurated the 2-day National convention and said, “Women in India are symbols of strength. Notable figures like Kamala Nehru, Sarojini Naidu, Aruna Asaf Ali, and Rajkumari Amrit Kaur shook the foundations of British rule with their movements. The work of Indira Gandhi as Prime Minister remains unforgettable.”

On Modi government’s anti-women policies, AICC General Secretary (Org.) Shri K.C. Venugopal raised valid and important questions. He said, “Where is ‘Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao’? He added, “It’s the responsibility of AIMC to wake up and initiate a movement against this fascist government.”

AIMC National President Ms. Netta D’Souza said, “The Half l population is ready to take full responsibility in Mission 2024. Women are well prepared to challenge this insensitive government.” She further added, “AIMC will run campaigns across the country to build a brighter future for India and liberate it from divisive forces.”

In two-day convention, first day was dedicated to ‘Mera Booth, Meri Zimmedari’ campaign. On day 2, launching of ‘Mahila Congress’ app to strengthen the relationship between top leadership and grassroots workers was done.

The 2-day National Convention was attended by the Office-Bearers of AICC& AIMC, Senior leaders and Mahila leaders from all over the country. Over 6,000 women from across the country participated in the two-day convention and discussed strategies to create a brighter future for India.