The Hindu : AICC to meet on May 10

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Sunday, Apr 28, 2002

National

National

AICC to meet on May 10

By Our Special Correspondent

NEW DELHI APRIL 27. In a significant development, the Congress president, Sonia Gandhi, has convened a one-day session of the All-India Congress Committee (AICC). The session will be held at the Talkatora stadium in Delhi on May 10.

According to the article XIII of the party constitution, ``the AICC shall meet as often as required, but not less than twice a year''. Last year, the party held its plenary session in Bangalore from March 16 to 18. However, the decision to hold a AICC session now assumes significance in the backdrop of the Gujarat carnage and the political uncertainty prevailing at the Centre. The Congress leadership feels that ``unravelling'' of the ruling National Democratic Alliance (NDA) has begun, and that the process is likely to sharpen as the BJP ``desperately tries to go back to its hardline Hindutva agenda''. Given the uncertainty, early polls to the Lok Sabha cannot be ruled out, it feels and wants to keep the party in a state of readiness .

The Congress leadership has been viewing with deep concern the BJP's attempt to communalise the political agenda and divide the polity on the issue. At the Congress Chief Ministers meet in Guwahati, Ms. Gandhi had clearly drawn the battle line against the BJP by marking out secularism and good governance as the two issues on which the next electoral battle will be fought.

She wants to commit the party to an unflinching battle against those keen on dividing the nation on communal lines. Significantly, she also used the Guwahati conference to outline the party's philosophy and understanding of secularism. Unlike others, the Congress had an inclusivist approach that believed in respecting India's diversity, and all its citizens were equal despite their cultural and religious diversities. Ms. Gandhi wants to mobilise her party and chalk out a strategy to combat the communal agenda. The day-long session is likely to be attended by almost 1100 AICC delegates. They will discuss the political, international and economic situation.

Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

National