The Congress Party's upcoming Congress Working Committee (CWC) meeting, scheduled for December 26-27, 2024, in Belagavi, Karnataka, promises to be a historic event set against the backdrop of the 100th anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi's presidency. The meeting is not merely ceremonial; it is framed as the 'Nav Satyagraha Baithak', aiming to shape the party's action plan for the next year amid pressing political challenges, including the recent controversy surrounding Home Minister Amit Shah's remarks about the revered figure B.R. Ambedkar.
Congress leaders, including general secretary Jairam Ramesh, K.C. Venugopal, and spokesperson Pawan Khera, have stressed the importance of this meeting. During a joint press conference, they affirmed the commitment to addressing the political turmoil facing the country under the current BJP government, particularly accusations of diminishing democratic principles. They stated, "The CWC meeting will discuss an action plan and programme for the Indian National Congress for the next year and adopt two resolutions," underscoring the documented action against what they termed as the 'insult' to Ambedkar.
The CWC convenes at a time when Congress is actively engaged with its grassroots, evidenced by protests across India. Over the past week, Congress units have mobilized demonstrations, culminating with district committees submitting memoranda calling for Shah's resignation to the President of India. Ramesh noted, "There will be a strong follow-up on this issue," confirming Congress's determination to not let the incident fade from public discourse.
Congress's week-long commemoration of 'Ambedkar Samman Saptah' is intended to honor B.R. Ambedkar's legacy, amplifying their counter-narrative against the BJP's interpretations of his contributions. Ramesh has been vocal about Modi's political maneuvers, particularly his actions surrounding the Parliament buildings. At the press conference, he claimed, "Ten years ago, when Narendra Modi ji became the Prime Minister, he bowed and placed his head on the steps of Parliament. The result was...a new Parliament was built. This year, on November 26, Mr. Modi placed his head on the original Constitution and the result will be a new Constitution." This statement is part of Congress's broader charge against the BJP of undermining the Indian Constitution and its foundational values.
The rally planned for December 27 is aptly named 'Jai Bapu, Jai Bhim, Jai Samvidhan', incorporating references to both Gandhi and Ambedkar, and symbolizes Congress's alignment with the principles of social justice and inclusiveness. Ramesh and Venugopal have framed this event as not only commemorative but also pivotal for the party's identity politics moving forward. Venugopal commented, "The BJP has not only insulted Ambedkar and humiliated his legacy, it has abandoned the values of the Constitution." This framing sets the stage for Congress to reassert itself as the defender of constitutional values.
With the CWC meeting poised to pass two significant resolutions—one of which will focus explicitly on the political challenges faced under Modi's leadership—the Congress aims to use this platform to galvanize support and outline its strategic direction for the upcoming election year. Beyond mere rhetoric, this meeting is collected under expectations of delivering concrete strategies to rejuvenate the party’s image and coalition efforts with various social groups previously aligned with Ambedkar's visions.
Participants will not only include CWC members but also Congress parliamentarians, Pradesh Congress Committee (PCC) chiefs, and Congress Legislative Party (CLP) leaders. This augmented presence is indicative of the party's readiness to unify its strategies at various organizational levels. Should the assembly produce significant resolutions, it will lead to anticipated changes, such as forming permanent bodies focused on electoral strategies.
Congress members expressed confidence the Belagavi meeting will successfully define their approach to the challenges presented by the Biden administration and reinvigorate their engagement with civil society. They believe this event could resonate widely among their base and potentially attract new supporters disillusioned with the current political climate. Specifically, the integral issues of economic disparity, erosion of democratic tenets, and attacks on constitutional integrity are promised to be addressed comprehensively during the meeting.
Leading up to the CWC, Congress's narrative is clear: it positions itself as the active opposition championing the constitutional rights of marginalized communities and defending Ambedkar's legacy against perceived assaults by the ruling government. With the backdrop of India's complex political fabric characterized by caste, class, and social justice issues, the Congress is at this juncture, using historical symbolism to navigate the upcoming electoral battles and embody the rights of the people of India. Through this, the party aims to not only commemorate the historical legacy of Gandhi and Ambedkar but to reinvigorate its relevance for contemporary electoral challenges and advocacy.
