We have Gandhi-Nehru legacy, will shatter lies of opponents: Mallikarjun Kharge in jibe at BJP

People’s faith in electoral process is gradually decreasing and questions are being raised on impartiality of the Election Commission of India, said Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge at CWC meeting on Thursday.

Kharge levelled allegations against the ruling BJP and claimed that it wants to take over all institutionals crucial to India.

“BJP wants to capture all constitutional institutions like EC, but we will continue to fight this battle. What is it that this govt is trying to hide by changing election rules that court ordered to share,” said Kharge.

Further, the Rajya Sabha leader of Opposition reminded Congress workers that the party is a legacy of Mahatma Gandhi and Jawaharlala Nehru. “We have Gandhi-Nehru legacy, will return from Belgaum with new resolve; time not for despair but to unite, shatter lies of opponents,” said Kharge.

Moreover, Kharge stressed on the importance of not just hard work but also better strategies in his address.

“Hard work alone not enough, timely concrete strategy, direction necessary; need to give chance to new power, leadership,” said Kharge.

‘Nav Satyagraha Baithak’

The Congress Working Committee (CWC) meeting, titled “Nav Satyagraha Baithak,” took place on Thursday to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the Belgaum session, where Mahatma Gandhi assumed the presidency of the Indian National Congress. This historic meeting also serves as a platform for the party to strategise its response to the political and electoral challenges it faces in 2025.The event, deeply rooted in history, is taking place at the very same venue where Gandhi took charge of the Congress leadership a century ago. Attending the meeting are key Congress leaders, including Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar, and General Secretaries Jairam Ramesh and K C Venugopal, among others.

Row over misrepresentation of Indian map

However, the celebration has sparked controversy over allegations of India’s map being misrepresented in posters displayed by the party to commemorate the 1924 Congress session. The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has accused Congress of indulging in “vote bank” politics. In response, the Congress has dismissed these accusations, stating that the BJP is simply “unnerved” by the events celebrating Gandhi’s centenary leadership. The party urged the BJP to stop making “petty excuses.”The Congress reaffirmed its commitment to protecting and promoting Mahatma Gandhi’s legacy, which it claims is under a “systematic assault” by the ideological groups that opposed him. “Mahatma Gandhi took over as President of @INCIndia on Dec 26th, 1924 – 100 years ago at what was then called Belgaum, now Belgavi. It was a historic session,” said Ramesh in a post on X. He further added, “Today the Extended Working Committee is holding its Nava Satyagraha Baithak at that very same place. It will rededicate itself to protect, preserve, and promote Mahatma Gandhi’s legacy – which is under systematic assault by the ideological brotherhood that fought him bitterly, and that attacked the Constitution when it was adopted.”Ramesh also recalled the significance of the 39th session of the Indian National Congress, which began 100 years ago at Belgaum with the singing of “Vande Mataram” by a group of girls from the National School at Dharwad. He shared that one of these girls, an 11-year-old at the time, went on to become Hindustani classical music legend Gangubai Hangal.AICC General Secretary Venugopal highlighted that the extended CWC meeting would discuss current political developments, particularly the BJP’s alleged attacks on the Constitution and Dr. B.R. Ambedkar. “Today marks the 100th anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi’s presidency of the Indian National Congress. It is a proud moment for all Congressmen across the country to commemorate this occasion,” Venugopal said.The CWC will also deliberate on key issues affecting the country and formulate “clear-cut” solutions to counter the BJP’s alleged assault on the Constitution. A special rally, titled “Jai Bapu, Jai Bhim, Jai Samvidhan,” is scheduled for December 27 in Belgaum to further honor Gandhi, Ambedkar, and the Constitution.The meeting is attended by around 200 leaders, including CWC members, permanent invitees, special invitees, central election committee members, Pradesh Congress Committee members, CLP leaders, parliamentary party office-bearers, and former party chief ministers, all partaking in what is being described as a “historic” session.(With agency inputs)