The focus of the deliberations will be on the current political and economic situation and the challenges they pose to our society and the nation, Surjewala said.
Highlights
- Ahead of 2024 polls, Congress formed a new panel group to address 'political challenges ahead'
- A key meet was held at Sonia's residence, after which an 'Empowered Action Group-2024' was announced
- However, there is no confirmation on induction of poll strategist Prashant Kishor into the party yet
Ahead of the 2024 general elections, Congress on Monday announced forming a new panel group to address the 'political challenges ahead'. However, there is no confirmation on the induction of poll strategist Prashant Kishor into the grand old party yet.
Congress has been struggling to evolve its strategy for upcoming elections in the wake of a series of defeats at the hustings. On Monday, a key meeting in this regard was held at Janpath residence of Sonia Gandhi. Senior party leaders including Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, Ambika Soni, KC Venugopal, Surjewala, Mukul Wasnik, Digvijaya Singh, Jairam Ramesh and P Chidambaram were among those present.
Party chief spokesperson Randeep Surjewala addressed reporters after a meeting with Sonia Gandhi. In a question about Prashant Kishor's induction, he merely said, "Whenever the group is constituted, you will know who is part of it. The decisions were taken at a meeting of senior party leaders to chalk the Congress strategy for the next general and assembly elections, including the plan presented by Kishor."
During the meeting that lasted for over three hours, Gandhi discussed the recommendations with the members of the group.
"The Congress president received a report from the eight-member group on April 21. Today, she discussed the report with the group and based on the discussions, the Congress president has decided to constitute an 'Empowered Action Group-2024' in order to address the political challenges ahead," Surjewala said.
Congress President Sonia Gandhi also decided to convene a 'Chintan Shivir', a brainstorming session from May 13-15 in Udaipur, where party leaders from across the country would discuss internal issues confronting it and come up with solutions to help strengthen the organisation and make it fit to take on the BJP in the next round of polls, party chief spokesperson Randeep Surjewala told reporters.
These eight leaders were part of the group who had discussed and looked into the party's strategy for upcoming assembly and general elections and submitted its report along with recommendations to the Congress president on April 21.
"The Congress President has decided to convene the 'Nav Sankalp Chintan Shivir' of the Indian National Congress in Udaipur on May 13, 14 and 15, 2022, where about 400 Congressmen and women from every state will participate," Surjewala said.
The focus of the deliberations will be on the current political and economic situation and the challenges they pose to our society and the nation, he said.
Surjewala said the 'Chintan Shivir' will also deliberate on the broad strategy of the Indian National Congress for the 2024 Lok Sabha elections.
"Issues relating to the welfare and wellbeing of farmers and farm labourers, and the trampling of the rights of scheduled castes, scheduled tribes, OBCs, religious and linguistic minorities and women social justice and empowerment and youth will also be discussed in detail.
"In addition, matters relating to organisational restructuring and strengthening will be deliberated," a statement from the party said.
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