Congress leaders in khadi outfits
By G Krishna Mohan Rao*
Raipur: In a significant development, the Congress plenary at Raipur, made it clear that henceforth wearing khadi is optional. The Congress Party also removed reference to “ abstain from alcohol” in its membership form in a bid to make the pledge for party workers more realistic. To this effect, the party amended its Constitution. These amendments were read out by party general secretary Randeep Singh Surjewala at the plenary, stating that the opinion had been veering towards dropping these clauses. In fact, Rahul Gandhi had earlier agreed with party members that the clause about alcohol makes no sense in present times.
Earlier, all new entrants into the Congress Party had to make a declaration that they would not consume alcohol. After the latest amendment, the clause will read as “abstains from the use of psychotropic substances, prohibited drugs and intoxicants”. With regards to Khadi, many congressmen pointed out that Rahul Gandhi himself wore synthetic fibre T-shirts over Khadi during the recent Bharat Jodo Yatra. Many members felt that the clause that made it mandatory for all congressmen to wear Khadi was outdated as not many party leaders use the fabric. It has, however, appealed to party men to adopt and promote handmade fabric.
The Congress Party also brought about many changes to the constitution in line with the party’s Udaipur declaration. The party claimed to be leading a new socio-political revolution by reserving 50 per cent of the organisational posts from block to the national level for Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes, Other Backward Classes and Minorities. Surjewala said that these unrepresented groups will get 50% reservation at all levels, in every committee. This is a revolution and a social justice milestone. No political party has ever taken such steps.
Apart from it, there will also be a quota of 50% for those below 50 years of age and women. It was pointed out that the party has been facing the allegation of being in the grip of upper castes. That image will now undergo a dramatic change with Dalits and OBCs getting adequate representation. All three Congress Chief Ministers— Rajasthan, Chattisgarh and Himachal Pradesh—at present are OBCs.
Among the other changes in the party constitution is the increase in the strength of the Congress Working Committee from 25 to 35. As many as 50% of the seats in the new CWC will be reserved for SCs, STs, OBCs, minorities, youth and women. One of the key amendments concerned giving a permanent place on the CWC to all former party presidents and prime ministers belonging to the party. Further, the caste and age reservations are bound to give a dramatically new look to the CWC with many younger leaders who never dreamt of reaching the top so early in their careers getting accommodated.
Besides the CWC, the number of AICC members has also increased. Earlier, one AICC member was chosen for every eight PCC delegates. Now there will be one AICC member for six PCC delegates. This will take the number of present AICC members from about 1,400 at present to about 1,700. The AICC members elect members of the CWC, while the PCC delegates elect the Congress President.
The party also decided that all elected representatives would automatically become members of the block, district and state-level committees.
The party organisation is also being expanded. Along with the booth committees and block committees, there will be two more layers of panchayat committees and intermediary committees below the district and state committees. The political affairs committee proposed at the Udaipur conclave has also been given constitutional validity.
*Senior journalist
