All efforts to Inhibit the 85th Plenary Session of the Indian National Congress failed

• by Special Correspondent

Raipur: Immediately at the directive of the Party High Command, the Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel said the very next moment, “Yes! We are happy to host the Party Session in Chhattisgarh and it will be a matter of great pride for us!”

Then happened exactly what Shri Baghel generally says to the public after becoming the Chief Minister of Chhattisgarh, “Jo kaha, vo Kiya” (I walked the talk.)

Relying on the committed team of the Party in Chhattisgarh, in spite of all kinds of hindrances from the central government, in spite of all the political attacks of the Sangh-BJP, the Session with a participation of more than fifteen thousand delegates, lasting for three days on respectively 24, 25 and 26 February, concluded with unprecedented success.

In this Session, Party President Shri Mallikarjun Kharge, two former Presidents respectively, including Smt. Sonia Gandhi, Shri Rahul Gandhi and all the stalwarts of the Party sat together and brainstormed on serious questions related to the Party and the country, discussed the strategy of the Party, had meaningful debates in a democratic environment on upcoming strategies. Important political, economic, organizational resolutions were passed. Also, resolutions were passed on issues like agriculture, unemployment and foreign policy.

On the last day of the Session, a huge public meeting of more than one lakh people was organized at Jora in Raipur.

In this meeting, stalwarts like National President of the Party Shri Mallikarjun Kharge, National General Secretary Smt. Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, Chief Minister of Chhattisgarh Shri Bhupesh Baghel, Chief Minister of Rajasthan Shri Ashok Gehlot, Chief Minister of Himachal Shri Sukhwinder Singh Sukhu gave a call to defeat the politics of hatred and hysteria of the Sangh-BJP. The leaders launched a scathing attack on the policies of the Modi government at the Center and highlighted how Congress-ruled states like Chhattisgarh have become a model before the country by implementing the policies of public interest.

With the successful organization of the 85th National Congress Session held in Chhattisgarh, the strong democratic traditions of the Congress and the relevance of the Gandhi-Nehru ideology have been recorded not only in India but also in the world.

In accordance with its undemocratic and fascist character, the Sangh-BJP and the central government headed by them made all efforts to disrupt this three-day national Session held from February 24 to 26 in Raipur, the capital of Chhattisgarh. Agencies like the Enforcement Directorate (ED) were activated in the state, threatening Party leaders involved in the preparations for the event and the businessmen associated with the event.

Assam Police tried to stop the senior Party leader Shri Pawan Khera at the Delhi airport from coming to Raipur. The aim was only to spread fear and disrupt the Session. But, finally, Shri Pawan Khera reached Raipur.

With this action, the shameful undemocratic face of the Sangh-BJP and the central government led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi came to the fore, before the world yet again.

Along with serious brainstorming on issues - political, economic, organizational, agricultural, unemployment-related and foreign policy-related - this Session proved to be a ‘milestone’ in terms of its preparations and all arrangements, just as Shri Bhupesh Baghel had opined.

This actually became another example of Shri Baghel’s organizational and political ability. Shri Bhupesh Baghel, along with his team of Party leaders and workers, set a shining example of better management by foiling the efforts of agencies like ED to demoralize the Congress Party.

The Session garnered a lot of praise from the delegates to the top leaders of the Party, for its management.

Shri Bhupesh Baghel also emerged as a sharp strategist with excellent management skills among the Party delegates from across the country.

It is also necessary to record that during this period, the All-India Congress Committee maintained complete coordination with the Pradesh Congress Committee and the Party leadership also provided necessary guidance.

It is to be remembered that just when the event was about to begin, the BJP-controlled ED officials of the central government started raiding the houses of Congress leaders in the state. But Shri Baghel had full faith in his team and his preparations and this faith did not waver.

The Raipur Session was held in a ground spread over 60 acres in Nava Raipur. This place was named after the brave freedom fighter of Chhattisgarh - Shaheed Veer Narayan Singh.

Organizing the National Session with more than fifteen thousand delegates was a challenging task. Shri Bhupesh Baghel himself used to be present on the field along with his Party and Cabinet colleagues to make arrangements for everyone’s convenience regarding accommodation, food and health etc.

His team carried out all the preparations systematically under his guidance.

The process of delegates coming to the Session had started a day in advance. Suitable arrangements were made for everyone’s stay in Raipur. Frequent vehicles were available for the delegates to go to the venue of the Session and come back from, so that the delegates did not face any problem.

The Session venue was fully equipped with Wi-Fi and state-of-the-art technologies. The entire venue was decorated with Party slogans ranging from pictures of Party leaders to pictures of freedom fighters - their stories adorned the venue.

Elaborate security arrangements were also made.

A hospital was built to provide emergency medical care at the site with doctors and nursing staff present at all times. Ambulances were constantly available there. A grand exhibition was also put up along with fire brigade, temporary offices of top leaders, retiring rooms, lounge etc.

Adequate arrangements were also made for media personnel from across the country who came to cover the Session.

Basic facilities like separate dome, Wi-Fi, computers were provided to them to enable them to work along with regular press conferences.

All the delegates were also presented books related to Chhattisgarh model along with delegate kit.

Party workers worked tirelessly to tend to the requirements of food, health and other necessary facilities of the representatives.

Exhibitions of Chhattisgarh government, Rajasthan government, AICC and various public organizations of the Party were organized at the venue, which the delegates observed with full enthusiasm. Shri Rahul Gandhi’s ‘Bharat Jodo Yatra’ was the centre of attraction in these exhibitions. Along with this, an exhibition focusing on the heroes of the freedom struggle from the 1971 war was also put up there.

Another point of attraction was the ‘Live Painting’. Here, the young artists of Chhattisgarh made pictures (live)from freedom fighters to top leaders of the Congress Party.

The Party delegates were also overwhelmed by seeing the exhibition.

One special thing about this Session was that everyone - from the leaders to the workers and the media - had the same food arrangement. It included dishes ranging from South India to North India. Chhattisgarh was also benefitted from this historic Session. By staying here for three days, the representatives and Party leaders got detailed information about the work of the Chhattisgarh government and the Chhattisgarh model became the subject of appreciation.

Appreciating the plans of Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel, Smt. Sonia Gandhi said that he is working in accordance with the spirit of Rajiv ji (former Prime Minister Late Shri Rajiv Gandhi). Rajiv ji wanted to strengthen the rural economy as he always saw rural India as a strong India.

She said that she is happy that the Bhupesh Baghel government of Chhattisgarh is also doing phenomenal work in this direction.

Similarly, Shri Rahul Gandhi also praised the Chhattisgarh model and said that it has given a new path to the country.

In a great meeting held in Raipur on the last day of the Session, Smt. Priyanka Gandhi Vadra said, “Today the name of Chhattisgarh is known all over the country, but the Centre does not like it when Chhattisgarh is praised. That’s why raids are being conducted here.”

Returning from this Session, the Party delegates carried the memories of a wonderful event, with better and combative political resolutions.