Rahul Gandhi has launched a scathing political attack on Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the Congress Working Committee (CWC) meeting, telling party leaders that the two senior BJP leaders are “finished,” according to sources. His remarks came during a wider discussion about the Congress’s political strategy, organisational strength, and issues that the party plans to take to voters across the country.
Rahul Gandhi also told the meeting that the youth of India are among the Congress’s major sources of strength and power. “It is the party’s obligation to constantly raise issues affecting young people, especially students, and keep students at the centre of the political campaign,” he said.
The Congress leader also stressed unity in the party. He told CWC members that unity and ideology remain two of the Congress’s greatest strengths. He said the party needs to remain united and stick to its political principles as it fights the BJP.
As he spoke about the state of politics in West Bengal, Rahul Gandhi highlighted the collapse of the Trinamool Congress and its organisational problems. He asked party leaders to look into Mamata Banerjee’s party and how it had weakened. But the Congress had an advantage that the other parties don’t, because of its unity and ideological foundation, he said.
Students and education.
Education and student-related issues were much discussed at the CWC meeting. Rahul Gandhi asked chief ministers of the four Congress-ruled states to bring more transparency in education and examination systems. He said students should not suffer because of irregularities, administrative failures, or shortcomings in examination procedures.
He also said that the Congress’ fight for students should not be restricted to a particular state, city, or programme. Rather, the party should raise student-related issues across the country and take up their concerns on every political platform possible.
As part of this, the Congress has decided to expand its ‘Chhatron Ki Goonj’ campaign to fight paper leaks and other issues affecting students. The campaign is expected to reach nearly 800 cities.
Congress Raises Ram Temple Donation Problem
Rahul Gandhi also spoke about alleged irregularities in the collection of donations and offerings for the Ram Temple in Ayodhya. He told party leaders that the Congress should take the matter directly to the people and raise it strongly across the country, a party statement said.
Sources said Gandhi accused the BJP of “stealing in the name of Ram.” The Congress plans to turn the issue into a broader political campaign, with protests expected in various states over what the party has termed the “chanda chori” issue.
The party is also demanding an independent investigation into the allegations. The issue is likely to become another point of confrontation between the Congress and BJP as both parties try to consolidate their political narratives ahead of future electoral battles.
Vande Mataram Resolution
The CWC meeting also passed a resolution on Vande Mataram. The Congress decided that it would follow the party’s earlier 1937 decision of singing the national song only in its first two stanzas.
The resolution comes as the national song and its history and political significance are at the forefront of a political debate. The Congress wants to place its position in the historical decisions of the party during the freedom movement.
Apart from these issues, the CWC discussed political as well as organisational matters. These included delimitation, China, and building the Congress organisation and how the party would tackle issues that might motivate voters.
Rahul Gandhi’s comments about PM Modi and Amit Shah are expected to shape the Congress’s political messaging in the coming weeks. The party seems to be pursuing the larger picture of expanding its campaigns beyond individual programmes and developing a national narrative around student concerns, transparency, alleged irregularities, and organisational unity.
In light of the Congress’ campaign to expand its reach in other states, the CWC meeting has highlighted the party’s attempt to merge political attacks on the BJP with grassroots mobilisation on issues concerning students and young voters.
