Congress’ 125th year resolution praises Sonia’s leadership

NEW DELHI - The Congress resolution Sunday marking the party’s 125 years hailed the leadership of Sonia Gandhi and said the party will strive to enthuse young men and women to embrace its ideology.

Reading out the resolution on 125 years of the party at the 83rd plenary here, senior leader and Defence Minister A.K. Antony said the Congress has always represented the spirit of India and its unique moral universe.

Pointing out that the party will complete 125 years on Dec 28, Antony said the plenary was an occasion to salute all the stalwarts who laid the foundations of the Indian National Congress.

“This plenary session is a historic landmark in our journey as one of the oldest democratic movements in the world. It is an inspirational moment not only for millions of Congress men and women but for all those across the world who believe in human dignity and freedom,” he said.

Recalling the party’s contribution to the country’s freedom and its development in the post-Independence era, the resolution said the Congress had successfully coped up with manifold challenges.

The resolution recalled the contributions of Mahatma Gandhi, Jawaharlal Nehru, Indira Gandhi, Rajiv Gandhi and Sonia Gandhi in strengthening the party.

Referring to the “difficult period” in which Sonia Gandhi was elected president of the party, the resolution said “she accepted the challenge of rebuilding and reinvigorating the Congress, preparing it to counter the rise of communal forces. Her leadership enthused the rank and file of the party and galvanized it to regain the confidence of the people”.

The resolution said an inclusive social agenda has been at the core of the party’s growth paradigm which has ensured a silent transformation in the rural hinterland.

“The youth of India mirror our hopes and aspirations for the future and it is important to enthuse the young men and women to embrace the ideology of Congress which has been synonymous with the idea of India. This will rejuvenate and reinvigorate our great old party and enable it to retain is pristine character forever,” the resolution said.

Recalling Rajiv Gandhi’s message during the party’s centenary celebrations in Mumbai, the resolution said he cautioned against power brokers and vested interests which seek to destabalise the party. “His wise counsel urged us to create a mass movement which will reconnect the party with the people of India and truly empowering them,” it said.

“The plenary session re-dedicates itself to building India of Mahatma Gandhi’s dreams,” the resolution said.