Ahead of the five-day Special Session of Parliament starting tomorrow, the Congress on Saturday made it clear that it will oppose the Chief Election Commissioner and Other Election Commissioners (Appointment etc) Bill that is listed for discussion and passage during the Session, saying that the Bill aimed at “undermining” the independence of the Election Commission of India.
The Congress also rejected the “one nation, one election” proposal, calling it an “assault” on the Constitution. The Narendra Modi government has already set up a high-level panel, headed by former President Ram Nath Kovind, to “examine and make recommendations for holding simultaneous elections” to the Lok Sabha, state Assemblies, municipalities and panchayats.
After about five hours of deliberations at the first meeting of the reconstituted Congress Working Committee (CWC) led by Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge, the party also called for the passage of the women’s reservation bill in the upcoming special session of Parliament, conducting a caste census and increasing the limit of reservation for SCs, STs and OBCs.
The CWC, in a resolution adopted unanimously, also reiterated the Congress’ demand for a Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) probe into the Adani issue.
The CWC also summarily rejected any call for a new Constitution and termed the argument that the basic structure of the Constitution can be changed as “mischievous”.
The Modi government’s “assault on the Constitution” must be condemned and resisted by all democratic forces to safeguard the foundational ideas of the Constitution drafted by B R Ambedkar and his compatriots, the party resolution said.
The CWC also alleged that the Modi government has systematically undermined federalism through overriding legislation, reduction in the states’ share of tax revenues, misuse of the office of governor, creating roadblocks in implementing schemes and programmes in Opposition-governed states.
The CWC “wholeheartedly” welcomed the continuing consolidation of the Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance (INDIA) claiming it has already rattled Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the BJP.
“The CWC reiterates the Congress party’s resolve to make the INDIA initiative an ideological and electoral success so that our country is freed from divisive and polarising politics, the forces of social equity and justice are strengthened, and the people get a Union Government that is responsible, responsive, sensitive, transparent and accountable,” the resolution read.
Expressing grave concern at rising unemployment and rise in prices, it said Prime Minister Modi’s so-called Rozgar Melas are a “hoax to cover up the abject failure” to create, as promised, two crore jobs a year.
“The failure to conduct the decennial Census, due in 2021, is a national and an international shame,” the party said in its resolution.
Meanwhile, briefing reporters on the deliberations at the CWC, senior Congress leader P Chidambaram said if the BJP puts forward the mirage of “one nation, one election” it is only to divert attention from the pressing issues and to create a false narrative.
The CWC also unequivocally condemned the incursions by China into Indian-held territory and the repeated provocations like publishing maps that include Arunachal Pradesh and other parts of India. It also blamed the Prime Minister’s “clean chit” to China on June 19, 2020 and alleged that his continued refusal to admit the loss of territory have misled the country, belittled the sacrifices of our jawans, and emboldened China to continue with its transgressions.
“The CWC calls upon the government to come clean on the border dispute with China and take a resolute stand against any challenge to the territorial integrity of India,” the resolution said.
This is the first CWC meeting after Mallikarjun Kharge became the President of the Congress party. Top Congress leaders, including former party chiefs Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi, Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot, Chhattisgarh CM Bhupesh Baghel, Himachal Pradesh CM Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu and Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah, participated in the discussion at the new CWC meet focusing on preparing a comprehensive road map for ensuring the party’s victory in the upcoming assembly polls in five states and the 2024 Lok Sabha elections.
Priyanka Gandhi Vadra and other senior leaders including K C Venugopal, P Chidambaram, Jairam Ramesh and new young members also participated in the discussions.
The deliberations would continue on Sunday during the extended working committee session with a focus on the strategy for upcoming assembly polls in five states and the Lok Sabha elections.
(With PTI inputs)