Congress Working Committee (CWC) meeting was held in New Delhi on Wednesday. The meeting discussed the prevailing political situation in the country, issues concerning students and a strategy to put pressure on the BJP-led central government over alleged irregularities in donations received for the Ram Mandir.
The CWC meeting was held at Indira Bhavan and chaired by Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge. Former party presidents Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi, along with Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, Jairam Ramesh and KC Venugopal, attended the meeting.
After the meeting, Venugopal said at a press conference that the CWC held an extensive discussion. A total of 88 leaders participated in the meeting, while 33 leaders spoke.
He said, “Our focus is on three-four issues. The first issue is the paper leak. The movement launched by people across the country against it and the way the government dealt with that movement were discussed.”
Venugopal said the CWC felt that the Parliament’s Monsoon Session was successful for the Opposition and that the government was on the back foot.
‘Students’ Voice’ campaign to continue in 800 cities
He said Gandhi’s ‘Students’ Voice’ campaign would continue. Under the campaign, more meetings will be held in 800 cities, some of which will be led by former Congress presidents.
Venugopal said Kharge had asked Congress-ruled state governments to work with education experts. They have been asked to prepare a roadmap for reforms in the education and examination systems and submit a report to Kharge.
Ram Mandir donation issue to be raised at village and panchayat levels
Venugopal said, “Donation theft is a serious concern among the people of the country. It is an issue linked to people’s sentiments. Those who used the Ram Mandir to divide people have now been exposed.”
He said, “We will take this issue to the grassroots level. We have directed the Pradesh Congress Committees to raise it at the village and panchayat levels.”
Chinese intrusion in Arunachal also discussed
Venugopal said the meeting also discussed the issue of “Chinese intrusion” in Arunachal Pradesh. He said the party’s concerns over the matter were raised during the meeting.
He also said the Congress demanded that women’s reservation be implemented based on the existing strength of 543 Lok Sabha seats.
Jairam Ramesh demands PM’s apology
At the press conference, Jairam Ramesh demanded that Prime Minister Narendra Modi apologise to the country over the “purification” carried out after Kharge’s programme in Uttarakhand.
Senior Congress leaders including Ambika Soni, Mukul Wasnik and P Chidambaram also attended the CWC meeting.
Chief ministers of Congress-ruled states — A Revanth Reddy of Telangana, VD Satheesan of Kerala, Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu of Himachal Pradesh and DK Shivakumar of Karnataka — were also present.
