NEW DELHI: Former Congress President Sonia Gandhi for the first time on Saturday talked of completing her political innings of 25 years as the party head, with the Bharat Jodo Yatra organised by her son Rahul Gandhi.
Addressing the AICC plenary session at Raipur, the state capital of Chhattisgarh, she said the Yatra gratified her most as a turning point, proving that the people of India overwhelmingly want harmony, tolerance and equality since it renewed the rich legacy of dialogue between the Congress and the people through mass contact programme.
“I specially thank Rahul ji whose determination and leadership were crucial in the Yatra’s success,” Sonia Said hailing the Congress colleagues and lakhs of people who participated in it, their support and affection.
She told over 15,000 party leaders gathered at the 85th AICC plenary amid loud cheersthat “this is a particularly challenging time, for the Congress and for the country as a whole. …So, the path ahead is not easy. But my experience, as well as the rich history of the Congress, tells me that victory will be ours.”
Her encouraging ending of the speech was “let us all remind ourselves of the battles our party has won in the past, and prepare ourselves for the battle to come. Let us remember that victory for the party is victory for the country, and for each and everyone of us.”
Hailing Mallikarjun Kharge taking over as the president from her, Sonia said: “His journey from a dedicated grassroot worker to the highest post in the Congress is a matter of pride for all of us. It reflects the ideals of India for which our freedom struggle was fought, and the values of our Constitution. It continues our rich and unparallel tradition of internal democracy. ”
She said: “Prime Minister Modi and the BJP-RSS regime has relentlessly captured and subverted every single institution. It ruthlessly silences any voice of Opposition. It has caused economic ruin by favouring a few chosen businessmen at the expense of all others and of the people, of the ordinary people. And most distressingly, it fuels the fires of fear and hatred against fellow Indians. It viciously targeted minorities, and ignored crimes and discrimination against them, against women, against Dalits and against Adivasis. It mocked Gandhiji, and through its words and actions shows its contempt for the values of our Constitution.”
Recalling the difficult struggle the Congress faced when she first entered politics, she said: ” Then, as now, we faced a difficult struggle ahead. At this crucial time, each one of us bears a special responsibility towards our party and towards our country.
Sonia also stressed that the Congress is not just a political party. “We are the vehicle through which the people of India fight for liberty, equality, fraternity and justice for all. We reflect the voices of people of all states, religions, languages, castes and genders. We work to uphold the dignity and fulfil the dreams of each and every Indian.”
Congress President Kharge gave the party a new slogan of service, struggle, sacrifice and India as the first. “Seva, Sangharsh aur Balidan. Sabse Pahle Hindustan,” he said. He said Rahul Gandhi conducted the Yatra to spread the word of the sparkle of the rising Sun. His walk of 3,570 km showed that the Congress has the tradition of sacrifice and struggle.
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