The Congress has mooted a “one family, one ticket” proposal, as suggested by a panel set up for the Udaipur “Chintan Shivir”, but has said that the formula will not be applicable if the second member of a family is actively working for the party for at least five years. This essentially means that most of the senior Congress leaders and their family members, including the Gandhis, will be exempt from the rule.
General Secretary of the party, Ajay Maken, said that the one family, one ticket formula will not be applied if “two persons are from the same family and the second member is actively working for the party for five years”. Maken said such members can be considered for tickets and can contest polls.
The grand old party that began its three-day “Chintan Shivir” here following poll drubbings election after election, set the tone for the rest of the deliberations on the first day of the Shivir. The congregation, attended by 400 members, included CWC members, CLP leaders and office bearers of AICC.
In her opening remarks, party president Sonia Gandhi emphasised that it’s time for the Congress to do “atmachintan” about the party organisation. Mrs Gandhi also came down heavily on Prime Minister Narendra Modi and RSS saying that country was in a state of permanent polarization, compelling the people to live in a constant state of fear and insecurity. She added that the minorities of the country were being targeted brutally.
She also attacked the government on price hike and said that this was an intolerable burden on the people of the country.
Elaborating on the party’s organisational re-jig plans, Maken said the big restructure would materialise after the Chintan Shivir in which 50% of the posts would be filled by youth.
The Daily Guardian also spoke to Leader of Opposition in Rajya Sabha, Mallikarjun Kharge, who emphasised that the party would be discussing core issues like nationwide alliances for general elections in the coming sessions.
Another senior leader, Rajeev Shukla said that the party would take a call on addressing issues like the Gyanvapi mosque and opening the doors of the Taj Mahal. So far, the Congress has not taken any stand on these two contentious issues. Sources said, a section of the party wants the Congress takes a decisive stand on these matters.
All six committees formed by Sonia Gandhi would be coming up with resolutions on the last day of the session and an open forum is being given to leaders to put their points of view for future prospects of the party.