In the face of the dominance of the Hindu majoritarian narrative in the country’s polity and a growing perception that the Congress is struggling to clearly state where it stands ideologically, an issue shortlisted for action during the deliberations at the party’s Nav Sankalp Shivir in Udaipur is the need to redefine its ideology.
According to party sources, amongst the topmost items on the agenda for discussion of the panel at the Chintan Shivir deliberating upon political issues is redefining the party’s “ideology to reassure our party workers and supporters”.
One of the measures proposed by the panel headed by Leader of Opposition in the Rajya Sabha Mallikarjun Kharge is that the party needs to “Reaffirm our commitment to the Constitution, of ensuring liberty of thought, expression, belief, faith and worship, the federal structure, the poorest and the most oppressed in the society.”
With a debate on with regard to what constitutes being an Indian and the perceived tendency by the ruling dispensation to equate Hindutva with Indianness, the Kharge-led discussions have shortlisted as a measure to be taken up the party the need to “reclaim the Indian way of life and what it means to be an Indian.”
It has been proposed that the party should retrieve its rich legacy, a large part of which is its involvement in the struggle for independence, to connect with the youth.
As per sources, it has been suggested that the party needs to reinvent politics to “transform the party, society, and the nation, including politics as a form of social service, how we connect to the people on issues that matter to them, how we raise funds from the people, how we tackle lies and distortions, and how we can lead initiatives that bring people together.”
According to party sources, there was a discussion on a tie up with religious and cultural organisations to enhance the support base of the party. However, leaders from Kerala and Tamil Nadu demanded that the world “religious” be removed as it would dent the secular identity of the party. However, leaders from the northern states were of the opinion that a pragmatic approach should be adopted and tying up with religious organisations should be considered. As there was no resolution of the differences on the issue, panel head Kharge decided to leave the issue for the Congress Working Committee to take a call on.
On the issue of alliances, the committee has proposed that the Congress should continue to work together with all like-minded democratic secular parties, explore pragmatic coalitions while strengthening its own presence in all blocks and districts of the country.
Participants also discussed the need to establish actual connect with people at grassroots level – panchayats and municipalities, and especially with the youth who comprise a huge chunk of the electorate.
“Connect must be established through village to village, door to door and people to people contacts, through seminars, workshops, interactive sessions,” it is suggested. A series of ‘padayatras’ led by prominent and senior leaders of the party across the country, starting right now, can be seriously considered, the committee feels.
