"Kharge ji has cracked the whip": Congress President pushes for overhaul, Rahul backs leadership at CWC meeting

In a crucial Congress Working Committee (CWC) meeting, Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge called for significant changes within the party to address the shortcomings that led to the party’s poor performance in the recent assembly elections in Haryana and Maharashtra. Kharge emphasized the need for the party to adopt tougher measures to ensure accountability, remove internal conflicts, and improve the party’s organizational structure. “Unless we fight elections unitedly and stop making statements against each other, how will we be able to defeat our opponents politically?” Kharge said during the meeting.

Kharge also stressed that Congress cannot continue relying on traditional methods and must modernize its approach to tackling political campaigns. He underlined the importance of addressing internal weaknesses and fixing accountability. “You have to see what your political opponent is doing on a daily basis. We have to take decisions on time. Accountability has to be fixed,” he stated. He made it clear that the party needed to be proactive and adaptive to effectively challenge its rivals.

A significant portion of the discussion also focused on the integrity of the electoral process. Kharge raised concerns about Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs), calling into question the transparency of the current system. He reiterated that the Election Commission is responsible for ensuring free and fair elections. The Congress had already expressed dissatisfaction with the use of EVMs, passing a resolution in 2018 under Rahul Gandhi’s leadership that advocated for the return of paper ballots. Kharge’s remarks reinforced the party’s long-standing concerns over the integrity of the voting system. Additionally, the INDIA alliance parties had demanded a 100% verification of Voter Verifiable Paper Audit Trail (VVPAT) slips during EVM-based elections in 2023.

Kharge also outlined the importance of early preparations for upcoming elections, especially for Delhi and Bihar, which are scheduled for 2024. He urged party leaders and workers to begin their campaign preparations at least a year in advance, focusing on issues specific to each state rather than national topics. “How long will you fight the state elections with the help of national issues and national leaders?” Kharge asked, emphasizing that local issues must take priority in these elections. He underscored the need for Congress to improve its connection with local voters by addressing issues that matter most to them.

During the meeting, Rahul Gandhi expressed his full support for Kharge’s leadership and approach. Acknowledging Kharge’s remarks, Rahul said, “Kharge ji has cracked the whip,” showing his alignment with the party president’s assessment and call for internal reforms. The CWC meeting concluded with a focus on overhauling the party’s internal structure, strategy, and discipline, with a commitment to ensuring that Congress is better prepared for future elections and able to address the challenges it faces.