Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge urged the party’s district unit chiefs on Thursday (March 27, 2025) to work with unity and a long-term strategy to secure victories in the upcoming State elections. He asserted that while the party’s ideology is strong, it cannot be implemented effectively without being in power.
Addressing the first of three scheduled meetings with District Congress Committee (DCCs) presidents, Mr. Kharge noted that in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, the INDIA bloc parties fought collectively against the BJP and its allies, limiting their seat count to 240.
He stated that had the Congress secured an additional 20-30 seats, an alternative Union government could have been formed.
Describing the DCCs chiefs as the party’s frontline of defence at the grassroots level, Mr. Kharge emphasised that their inputs would be crucial in formulating the party’s strategies.
“Our ‘Save Constitution’ campaign exposed the BJP-RSS’ secret desire to change the Constitution. Today, the BJP is short of a majority and dependent on two allies. A Prime Minister who arrogantly claimed [they would win] 400 seats was dealt a significant blow by us,” Mr. Kharge told the DCCs chiefs from 13 States and three Union Territories present at the Indira Bhawan.
“The Congress Party secured almost 100 seats. If we had worked harder, we could have gained 20-30 more seats. A gain of such seats could have led to the formation of an alternative government in the country,” he said.
“Had we achieved this, we could have halted the systematic assault on our independent institutions, democracy, and the Constitution,” he added.
Meritocracy key to win imminent State elections
Mr. Kharge affirmed that the Congress’s struggle against the BJP and the RSS continues both within and outside Parliament. “We must take this fight to the streets,” he said. Appreciating the role of the DCCs chiefs, he stated, “You are not just our messengers, but the generals of the Congress party, leading from the front on the ground. Therefore, Rahul Gandhi ji and I recognised the need for direct communication with you.” He stressed the importance of appointing the most capable, committed, and hardworking individuals to these positions rather than making selections based solely on local leaders’ recommendations.
“Next year [March-April 2026], elections will be held in Assam, Kerala, Puducherry, and Tamil Nadu. It is your responsibility to ensure the victory of every candidate in your district,” he told the DCCs chiefs.
“Most importantly, we must remember to work in unity with a long-term strategy to win elections at the State level. Our ideology is strong, but without power, we cannot implement it. That is why we have to make every effort to strengthen the organisation in States and return to power,” he asserted.
“You are not just carrying forward our ideology but also the fight for India’s future. You must take our message to every household. We will fight and establish a government across the country that prioritises people and their issues, our democracy, and our Constitution,” he said.
Mr. Kharge alleged that independent institutions painstakingly built by the Congress are now under attack by those in power and are being controlled by a select few aligned with a particular ideology.
“Today’s government accords importance to a particular ideology rather than talent,” he noted.
Mr. Kharge reiterated the Congress’s demand for a caste census to “prove our point and restore social justice”.
“In foreign affairs, countries like the U.S.A. are not only insulting our citizens but also embarrassing us by imposing counter-tariffs. Meanwhile, the BJP governments at the Centre and in the States remain focused on creating communal disharmony to divert public attention,” he alleged.
He claimed that these communal issues are deliberately manufactured in the media to benefit the BJP rather than the people.
“Our guarantees should serve as a success story. The BJP tries to mislead and misrepresent our achievements,” he said.
Allegations of voter lists discrepancies
Mr. Kharge highlighted that another critical area needing attention is voters’ list management.
“You must have noticed the increasing discrepancies in voter lists, particularly in Maharashtra. We have formed the EAGLE team to deal with this problem. It is constantly monitoring the activities of the Election Commission,” he said.
He stated that the country currently faces numerous challenges, including a struggling economy, widening wealth inequality, record-high unemployment, and soaring inflation leading to the lowest household savings in decades.
Mr. Kharge also pointed to the increasing “attacks” on the poor, marginalised communities, women, and weaker sections of society.
The Congress chief also recalled the party’s pivotal role in shaping modern India, with leaders like Mahatma Gandhi, Jawaharlal Nehru, Sardar Patel, Rajendra Prasad, and countless others laying its foundation.
District Congress Committee presidents from 13 States and three Union Territories attended the meeting.
Published – March 27, 2025 10:52 pm IST