The Hindu Editorial Vocabulary– May 18, 2022; Day 291

Thought and action: On Cong’s three-day Chintan Shivir

Chintan shivir did little to enforce accountability (Responsibility to someone or for some activity) at the top leadership in the Congress

The three-day Nav Sankalp Chintan Shivir of the Congress in Udaipur has charted an action plan for its revival. The proof will be in its implementation, but at a minimum it acknowledges the party’s shortcomings (deficiency). The party plans to give more opportunities to the youth, limit dynastic (Related to powerful leaders in the same family) politics with a ‘one family, one ticket’ rule, and have a new deal for socially weaker groups such as the Scheduled Castes (SC), Scheduled Tribes (ST) and the minorities. In a major deviation (divergence from the official ideology or policies of a political party) from its earlier position, the Congress is now backing (The act of providing approval and support) sub-quotas for SCs, STs and Other Backward Classes (OBCs) in the women’s reservation Bill that has been hanging fire (delay or be delayed in taking action or progressing). A Social Justice Advisory Council is to advise the Congress president on issues regarding socially weaker groups. Half of the party posts are to be filled with people under the age of 50, a principle that will be applied in the selection of candidates too. Other measures announced include a Public Insight Committee to gather feedback on key political issues, a training institute to bring ideological (Concerned with or suggestive of ideas) clarity for party workers, and a committee for constant election preparedness — all aimed to overcome the inertia (lack of energy) and decadence (behaviour, attitudes, etc. that show low moral standards) that have immobilised (Prohibit the use of (assets)) the party.

The Chintan Shivir was prompted (Serve as the inciting cause of) by the party’s repeated electoral failures and serious questions about the effectiveness of the leadership of the Gandhi family, but it did very little in terms of addressing and enforcing the principle of accountability at the top. In fact, the three-day brainstorming session saw a clear assertion (A declaration that is made emphatically) by the Gandhis. Amid demands by leaders of the G-23 — the ginger group (a highly active faction within a party or movement that presses for stronger action on a particular issue) purportedly pushing for internal reforms and collective leadership — to revive the Congress Parliamentary Board, party chief Sonia Gandhi announced the setting up of an advisory group from among the senior Congress Working Committee members. Ms. Gandhi made it clear that there would not be collective decision-making and that her word was final. While such an assertion may convey the message of being in control, that is no solution to the sagging (weakening) popularity of the party and the family. Former party chief Rahul Gandhi admitted that the party had lost its connect with the people, but did not offer anything new. Udaipur was an assertion of his role at the helm (a position of leadership), which will in all probability be formalised in the forthcoming organisational election. A Bharat Jodo (Unite India) yatra from Kanyakumari to Kashmir and Jan Jagran Abhiyan (public awareness campaign) as ideas sound good, but a lot will depend on his ability to reinvent himself in an era (A period marked by distinctive character) that rewards and punishes individual leaders disproportionate to their role. If the Udaipur meet is not to end up as a new bargain among power brokers and interest groups, the party will have to immediately begin a process of regeneration free of nepotism (Favouritism shown to relatives or close friends by those in power) and avarice (extremely strong desire for money and possessions.).

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