Congress adrift as Sonia, Rahul fail to call CWC, AICC meetings

The grand old Congress seems to be forgetting its “historic role” these days. After the Uri attack, the Congress has chosen not to summon its working committee to discuss and articulate its structured stand on the current state of India-Pakistan ties, Jammu & Kashmir, terrorism and Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s handling of these issues. Party chief Sonia Gandhi has not made a public appearance since August 3, 2016, when she had to suddenly cut short her rally at Varanasi. AICC vice-president Rahul Gandhi has been holding a yatra in poll-bound Uttar Pradesh and thus has little or no time for organisational work. Some well-meaning Congressmen are intrigued over Rahul’s obsession with Uttar Pradesh, wondering why the young Gandhi is not expending some of his energy and party resources in poll-bound Punjab and Congress-ruled Uttarakhand. Why is Rahul prioritising a fourth position in UP over the possibility of winning power in Chandigarh and Dehradun? The Congress Working Committee is an apex body. Its views and formulations on current relations between India and Pakistan, possibility of war, Modi's handling of the Jammu & Kashmir situation, would have showcased the Congress as a principal opposition party (even though it does not have a formal status in the Lok Sabha). In the  2014 Lok Sabha poll, the Congress had polled over 10 core votes and this figure alone gives the Congress a sense of legitimacy as the main opposition party. The Congress seems missing old, experienced hands like Pranab Mukherjee and K Natwar Singh whose absence from the party has weakened the Congress's grip on matters related to foreign policy. The likes of Anand Sharma, Salman Khurshid and Shashi Tharoor are knowledgeable about geopolitical issues but they, their critics allege, prefer television studios and Twitter to air their views. Congress insiders say the CWC may meet after September 30, soon after the ‘Shradhh’ period, considered inauspicious, comes to an end.  It is interesting to note that a “Right-wing” party like the BJP goes ahead to hold its National Council meeting in Kozhikode during the shradh period but a “secular” Congress shies from conducting a timely meeting. The last Congress Working Committee meeting was held in New Delhi in February this year to discuss poll alliances in Bengal. Since then, the CWC has not met. The last time the AICC session was held was in Jaipur in January 2013 which was actually a ‘Chintan Shivir’ (brain-storming camp). The last party plenary was held at Burari (Delhi) in December 2010. As per the Congress’s constitution, the AICC session is to meet twice a year. A recent amendment made the gathering mandatory once a year. From 1885 to 2010, it has held 83 sessions which speaks for itself considering a substantial period was during the British Raj when party meets were held regularly. Both Sonia and Rahul owe an explanation to the party why its failing in its duty to play the role of an effective Opposition. And why much needed changes and organisational requirements are not being fulfilled. Disclaimer: The opinions, beliefs and views expressed by the various authors and forum participants on this website are personal and do not reflect the opinions, beliefs and views of ABP News Network Pvt Ltd.