As the Congress party concluded its significant CWC meeting on Friday, party president Mallikarjun Kharge detailed several key issues deliberated by the leaders during the discussions. According to the information released, Kharge primarily focused on the party's poor performance in the recently concluded assembly elections across various states, despite their 'encouraging' performance in the 2024 parliamentary elections.
It is notable that while the Congress party secured over 99 seats in the 2024 Lok Sabha polls, it performed poorly in the recent assembly elections held in Maharashtra, Haryana, and Jammu and Kashmir.
'Assembly results were not as per our expectations'
Addressing the setback in the assembly elections, Kharge acknowledged that the results were below the party’s expectations.
"After the 2024 Lok Sabha election results, the Congress party made a comeback with renewed vigor. However, the results in three states that followed were not as per our expectations. Indian parties formed governments in two out of four states, but our performance fell short. This is a challenge for us moving forward," Kharge said.
He further stated, "We need to immediately learn from these election results and address our weaknesses and shortcomings at the organizational level. These results serve as a message for us."
Factors behind the party’s poor performance
Kharge pointed to a lack of unity among party leaders and internal conflicts as significant factors behind the party’s underwhelming performance. "Unless we fight elections unitedly and refrain from making statements against each other, how can we expect to defeat our opponents politically?" he remarked.
"We must strictly adhere to discipline and remain united under all circumstances. While the party has mechanisms to enforce discipline, we prefer not to impose restrictions unnecessarily. Everyone must understand that the Congress party’s victory is our victory, and its defeat is our defeat. Our strength lies in the unity of the party," Kharge added.
Strengthening the organization
The Congress president also highlighted the need to strengthen the party’s organization at the grassroots level. "We need to bolster the organization down to the booth level and remain vigilant and cautious, from the preparation of the voter list to the counting of votes," he stated.
'EVM has made the electoral process suspicious'
Moreover, during the CWC meeting, the Congress president also cast suspicion over EVM results. He remarked that it is the constitutional responsibility of the Election Commission to ensure free and fair elections in the country; however, questions are repeatedly being raised as to what extent this responsibility is being fulfilled.
"The kind of results that came in favour of MVA in the Lok Sabha just 6 months ago, the result of the Vidhan Sabha is beyond the understanding of even the political pundits. The kind of results that have come are such that no arithmetic can justify it," the Congress president mentioned.?
'Divisive forces in power be defeated at all costs'
Further, the Congress president, linking the ruling BJP to that of divisive forces, mentioned that it needs to be defeated at all costs. "We have to restore progress, peace, and brotherhood in the country. Because we have built this wonderful country. Crores of people in the country are ready to give us strength. They are waiting for us. We cannot disappoint them," Kharge stated.?
?