Congress President Kharge Calls For Setting Accountability In First Steering Committee Meeting

During the first meeting of the Congress steering committee constituted by him, Kharge asked state in-charges to submit a roadmap for movement on people's issues in the next 30 to 90 days.

New Delhi: Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge during the first Congress steering committee made some strong remarks and pitched for organisational accountability from top to bottom. He said those unable to fulfil their responsibilities will have to make way for their colleagues.

During the meeting constituted by him, Kharge asked state in-charges to submit a roadmap for movement on people's issues in the next 30 to 90 days, as reported by the news agency PTI.

"I believe that the biggest part of our responsibility towards the party and the country is -- organisational accountability from top to bottom. If the Congress organisation is strong, accountable, lives up to the expectations of the people, then only we will be able to win elections and serve the people of the country," PTI quoted the Congress chief as saying.

Kharge in a stern message to the office-bearers said that while there are very responsible people in the party who were doing their duty, some people had assumed that lack of responsibility will be ignored. "This is neither right nor acceptable. Those who are unable to fulfil their responsibility, they will have to make way for their colleagues," he said.

The Congress president praised the Bharat Jodo Yatra, saying that it is scripting history under the leadership of Rahul Gandhi. The Bharat Jodo Yatra has now taken the form of a national movement, he added. Kharge also said it is the duty of Congress persons to fight against ruling forces that sow "seeds of hatred" and "reap fruits of division".

While Rahul Gandhi did not attened the meeting as the Bharat Jodo Yatra is set to enter Rajasthan on Sunday eveneing. Former party chief Sonia Gandhi, Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot, his Chhattisgarh counterpart Bhupesh Baghel, senior leaders P Chidambaram, Anand Sharma, Meira Kumar and Ambika Soni were present at the meeting. 

The steering committee was formed in place of the Congress Working Committee (CWC), the highest decision-making body of the party after Kharge took charge in October. The party top brass is holding deliberations on the schedule and venue for its plenary session besides discussing key organisational matters.

After Kharge became the Congress president all the members of the CWC were made part of the steering committee soon.

Kharge's election as the Congress president will be ratified at the party's plenary session, which is likely to be held in February or March next year, and the dates could be finalised during the meeting. More than 9,000 Pradesh Congress Committee (PCC) delegates are likely to attend the party's plenary session. He is the first non-Gandhi to be elected as the Congress president after a gap of 24 years in a direct contest for the top party post.

(With PTI inputs)