Nationwide Overhaul on the Cards
The Congress party is reportedly gearing up for a comprehensive structural overhaul, starting with a national conference of district unit presidents in Delhi. The last such inclusive conference took place in 2009, a move credited with delivering positive electoral outcomes that year. The party’s leadership believes that revamping the District Congress Committees (DCCs) is essential for pulling the party out of its current political stagnation.
Strengthening Grassroots Structures
There are plans to rejuvenate the party not only at the district level but also at the block-level. This approach aims to fortify the party’s presence from the ground up. However, a significant challenge lies in the fact that DCCs are either non-functional or practically defunct in several areas. The leadership is contemplating a temporary selection-based approach to revive these committees, but acknowledges that a robust revival will require elected committees from the block level upwards.
The Importance of the Elective Principle
While appointing DCC members might offer a quick fix, the party understands that the principle of internal democracy must be restored. The leadership intends to initiate membership drives to ensure that the elected representatives are genuinely chosen by the grassroots workers. Without this foundational structure, any revitalization attempt will remain unstable and short-lived.
Learning from the Past
Historically, DCCs and Pradesh Congress Committees (PCCs) played a pivotal role in maintaining the Congress’s strength as a well-oiled political machine. These units were empowered to mobilize people and conduct membership drives effectively. However, the Congress split of 1969 accelerated the trend towards organizational decay, with power increasingly centralized in the hands of influential leaders. While this top-heavy model worked when the party lacked nationwide opposition, it is proving ineffective against the BJP’s streamlined electoral machinery.
The Way Forward
To mount a credible challenge to the BJP, the Congress must rebuild from the grassroots while simultaneously reviving critical bodies like the Parliamentary Board. Instituting a more democratic process for appointing working committees and other leadership positions is seen as essential for reclaiming the party’s political strength.
Conclusion
The Congress appears to be moving in the right direction by emphasizing internal democracy, grassroots mobilization, and structural reforms. The coming months will reveal whether these efforts are enough to rejuvenate the party and restore its position as a formidable national force.
Author: This news is edited by: Abhishek Verma, (Editor, CANON TIMES)
Authentic news.
