Rahul Gandhi, in his maiden speech as Congress Vice
President, struck an emotional note in calling for a transformation of the
existing system. He said his mother came to his room in the night after naming
him party vice-president and wept.
“She cried because she understands that power is actually a
poison,” he said. “She could see what it could do to people around... We should
not chase power for attributes of power. We should only see it to empower the
voices,” the young Congress MP.
The two-day Congress’ chintan shivir attended by some 350
party leaders and the larger session on Sunday were to take stock of challenges
before the party and prepare it for the electoral tests in the coming months.
Earlier, Sonia Gandhi called on the party rank and file to
work hard and close ranks ahead of the forthcoming elections. “There is no
reason that we should not return to power if Congress men work hard in unity,”
Sonia Gandhi said on the final day of the party’s conclave.
Sonia Gandhi added that she will personally ensure the
passage of legislation to provide 33% reservation for women in the Lok Sabha
and state assemblies. Remembering the Delhi gang-rape victim, Sonia Gandhi, who
devoted the initial part of her speech to gender issues, said her death “will
not go in vain”.
The Jaipur declaration, released after the meeting, emphasized
the need for repositioning and reorganizing the party based on ideology and
issues in preparation for the national election. “The Congress recognizes that
there is a new aspiration for advancement among the people, especially among
the youth and the middle class,” the declaration said.
“The Congress pledges to speak for both the young
middle-class India and the young deprived India. The party will be responsive
to the new aspirations of the youth and will offer credible policies and
programmes for them especially job creating programmes,” it said.
