And the Congress has begun its Conclave with BJP and Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s failures in the forefront.
The 3-day plenary session began at the Constitution Club in New Delhi. The focus of the conclave is primarily to prepare for the 2019 Lok Sabha elections. The meet is being attended by Congress chief ministers, state Congress presidents and Congress legislature party leaders from all states.
Rahul Gandhi is giving his first ever plenary speech after being appointed as the Congress President.
During the session, the party is also likely to discuss and adopt two resolutions, one political and the other on jobs and poverty alleviation. Party leaders will also draft resolutions which will be adopted at the conclave over the next two days. The Congress Working Committee members will be picked by the party president on the concluding day of the meet.
Here are the LIVE UPDATES:
2:02 PM
Congress plenary session in New Delhi
Facing the challenge of defections in the party, with BJP poaching many of its leaders, the Congress party sought debarring defectors from contesting elections for six years to check the “brazen misuse of money power to create political instability”.
It also said that the BJP’s move of simultaneous elections is ‘misplaced’ and is ‘incompatible with the Constitution as also impractical’. “It will have serious implications, which must be thoroughly enquired into, and a national consensus built,” the resolution stated.
1:56 PM
Congress draft’s resolution at the plenary meet
The political resolution also talked about deteriorating internal and external security environment, youth, women empowerment and social justice. The resolution also called upon the media to restore the balance in the national narrative to safeguard democracy.
The party also said the judicial system needed urgent reforms for an effective and timely dispensation of justice and said the huge pendency of cases and providing affordable justice remains a big challenge that needs to be addressed.
1:47 PM
Congress Plenary Session in New Delhi
Nobody can stop Rahul Gandhi from becoming the Prime Minister of the country in 2019: Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah (ANI)
1:43 PM
Congress’ draft resolution at the plenary session
The party said it was prepared for making sacrifices required to defend the ethos of the Constitution and “we will purge the polity of the aberrations witnessed during the BJP regime, which has failed to honor its commitments to the people of India”.
“The Congress condemns the BJP government for brazen abuse of power and misuse of central agencies for targeted political vendetta to harass, humiliate and persecute its political opponents. The Congress party warns the BJP and its government that its undemocratic methods and acts to curtail liberty, freedom of expression and violation of fundamental rights of its citizens as enshrined in the Constitution will be strongly resisted,” the resolution said.
1:39 PM
Congress plenary meet
The Congress launched a scathing attack at the BJP-RSS saying the country’s core constitutional values are under attack and freedom of all is in jeopardy with institutions under stress and their independence compromised. The party said that under the BJP regime, the people of the country, be it farmers, laborers, unorganized sector workers, self-employed, Dalits, traders, minorities and the poor have been “betrayed”.
12:42 PM
Sachin Pilot at Congress plenary session
“Change is necessary and we need to bring the change. Following our leader Rahul Gandhi we are willing to give our sweat and blood to revive the party and establish Congress rule in the centre once again,” says Congress MP Sachin Pilot
12:05 PM
Congress leader Mallikarjun Kharge at the plenary session
“Congress party led India to independence and helped establish democracy. It was democracy which brought PM Modi to power but, ironically, his Govt itself has now become a threat to democracy,” said Congress leader Mallikarjun Kharge.
12:04 PM
Photos from the Congress plenary session
#InPics At the 82nd @INCIndia plenary session in #Delhi @IndianExpress ©ExpressPhotos @tashitobgyal pic.twitter.com/vXV47lZgJG
— Tashi Tobgyal (@tashitobgyal) March 17, 2018
11:32 AM
Mallikarjun Kharge takes a dig at PM Modi
“The slogan ‘na mein khaunga, na Khane dunge’ has now become ‘Mein Khaunga, aur apna doston ko khilaunga’,” said senior Congress leader Mallikarjun Kharge taking a dig at PM Modi.
11:30 AM
Mallikarjun Kharge at the plenary session in New Delhi
“No one else has the strength to defeat us. If Congress party lost it is because of infighting among members. I request everyone to unite and come together as one,” said Mallikarjun Kharge, Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha.
11:26 AM
Congress’ plenary meet
With the new era @INCIndia has done away with its unique style of leaders being seated on the floor on the dais for party meets. Now leaders are seated on chair at the front rows @IndianExpress pic.twitter.com/FXe5MhEbNN
— Liz Mathew (@MathewLiz) March 17, 2018
11:12 AM
Congress’ 84th plenary session
‘The difference between our party and the incumbent ruling party is that they follow the ideology of hatred while we follow the ideology of love and fraternity. The tradition of the Congress party is to embrace change without forgetting our past and legacy,’ said Congress President Rahul Gandhi in New Delhi.
10:56 AM
“Only Congress can show the way for this nation. This country belongs to all irrespective of which religion caste community one belongs to. We will work for all,” says Rahul Gandhi in New Delhi.
10:54 AM
Rahul Gandhi at Congress plenary meet in New Delhi
“Today anger is spread across the country, the nation is getting divided, one is made to fight against other. Congress’ job is to keep them together. You have the strength of this Hand symbol in you,” says Rahul Gandhi.
10:51 AM
Rahul Gandhi at Congress plenary session
Congress President Rahul Gandhi says, “Only our party can unite the nation.”
READ ALSO: Leaders bring in new plans to pull down BJP in the Congress Conclave
10:49 AM
Congress party meet in New Delhi
New era in India’s Grand Old Party. New party chief @RahulGandhi hoist flag to start @INCIndia plenary meet. pic.twitter.com/WDrxgjDUho
— Liz Mathew (@MathewLiz) March 17, 2018
9:51 AM
Congress plenary session 2018
CHANGE is NOW! Theme for @INCIndia plenary 2018. In the background, songs played are Chak De India & Jai Ho @IndianExpress pic.twitter.com/Mxjcid5j3O
— Liz Mathew (@MathewLiz) March 17, 2018
9:37 AM
Theme for INC plenary 2018. Change is Now!
Filling in, hoping for a new era! Inside the hall for @INCIndia plenary @IndianExpress pic.twitter.com/ebuDxqP6bM
— Liz Mathew (@MathewLiz) March 17, 2018
9:25 AM
Congress party’s three-day plenary session
Welcome delegates and distinguished guests to the #CongressPlenary.
Over the next two days I look forward to interacting with you and to sharing experiences and perspectives that will together help us build a stronger, more vibrant Congress party.
Jai Hind.
— Rahul Gandhi (@RahulGandhi) March 17, 2018
9:16 AM
Congress’ plenary meet in New Delhi
Congress president Rahul Gandhi (right) and Sonia Gandhi during Congress party’s steering committee meeting in New Delhi on Friday. (Express photo by Anil Sharma)
9:08 AM
Congress party’s three-day plenary session
The Congress has stated that the plenary will focus on party workers than its leaders as it goes about strengthening the organization ahead of the next Lok Sabha polls.
8:53 AM
Congress leader Randeep Surjewala told reporters
“The Committee deliberated four resolutions which will be presented at the Congress plenary session in great detail. Various suggestions came and Congress President Rahul Gandhi has directed the chairman of these committees (working on the resolutions) to incorporate the suggestions in the resolutions.”
8:45 AM
Congress 84th Plenary Session
Congress president Rahul Gandhi chaired the meeting of the subjects committee to gave final shape to the draft resolutions to be adopted at the conclave.
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