The first day of the Congress “chintan shivir” saw strong opposition to the diesel hike, cut in subsidies and promoting outsiders. While a Union minister was learnt to have criticised the role of private sector influencing the government, others took a critical view of loyalists being ignored in the name of “elective merit”.
The party leaders gathered here to work on a future electoral strategy, demanded that the party general secretary Rahul Gandhi be projected as the prime ministerial candidate.
The social media was also criticised by delegates who viewed it as being anti-Congress. “The media gave a wider coverage to the victim of Delhi gangrape on December 16 but ignored a series of gangrapes in Chhattisgarh,” they said.
About 350 select delegates, dominated by youth, discussed five issues in five groups: emerging political challenges, socio-economic challenges, women empowerment, India and the world and organisational strength.
While a section of the delegates who took part in the discussion on India and world, was said to have suggested that the AICC meet should pass a “strong” resolution against Pakistan against the backdrop of beheading Indian soldier, many delegates expressed their opposition to the promotion of “new entrants” from other parties.
The discussion on five subjects would continue on Saturday and the heads would prepare a summary to be placed before CWC meeting on Saturday evening. It will be further discussed on Sunday’s AICC meeting.