Kangra: Congress MP and Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi on Thursday addressed the valedictory session of the ‘Srijan’ 10-day training camp organised for Congress district presidents from Himachal Pradesh, Punjab and Jammu & Kashmir here.
Speaking to the gathering, Rahul Gandhi asked Congress leaders to leave behind VIP culture and work as the voice of the common man. He emphasised that party office-bearers should raise small local issues and actively represent the concerns of ordinary people instead of waiting for directions from the state executive.
He told the district presidents that they must take initiative on all issues concerning their respective districts without waiting for instructions from the Pradesh Congress Committee. Rahul Gandhi stressed that district presidents have the responsibility to keep block-level executive bodies active and functional at all times.
During his address, Rahul Gandhi demonstrated his point against VIP culture by asking one leader to stand on a chair while making four others bow before him, sending a strong message to end such practices within the party.
Review of Performance Every Three Months
Rahul Gandhi announced that performance reviews of district and block presidents will be conducted every three months at three different levels. He introduced a traffic light system – Green, Yellow and Red zones – to evaluate the work done by office-bearers for the organisation’s interest.
He made it clear that if any office-bearer fails to perform according to organisational expectations, they will either be removed from their post or will have to resign themselves. “If you are in the organisation, you must work for the organisation,” he added.
Discussion on Student Union Elections
The training camp also witnessed detailed discussions on student union elections. Rahul Gandhi asked the state governments to take positive and constructive steps regarding these elections.
He called upon party workers to reach the last person in society and build the organisation’s connect at the grassroots level. Rahul Gandhi urged everyone to shift focus from politics-driven service to service-driven politics.
Physical Fitness Session
In a unique initiative, Rahul Gandhi, a trained martial artist with a Blue Belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, made all district presidents undergo a 50-minute Jiu-Jitsu session. The activity was aimed at promoting physical fitness and mental discipline among the participants.
Photographs with Families
Rahul Gandhi took photographs with all 61 district presidents along with their family members. He said this was to send a message that leaders must strengthen their connect at the ground level.
Future PCC Presidents to Come from District Presidents
Rahul Gandhi announced a significant organisational change, stating that in the future, the Pradesh Congress Committee president will be chosen from among the district presidents based on their performance. He added that the selection for Lok Sabha, Rajya Sabha and Assembly tickets will also take into account the work done by district presidents.
He cited the example of Anurag Sharma, Congress district president of Kangra, who is also a Rajya Sabha MP.
Chamba District President Gifts Manimahesh Picture
Chamba district president Surjeet Bharmouri presented a picture of Manimahesh to Rahul Gandhi as a memento. He also briefed Rahul Gandhi about the Bharmour tragedy. Bharmouri invited Rahul Gandhi for the Manimahesh Yatra, which the Congress leader accepted.
Leaders Present
Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu, Deputy Chief Minister Mukesh Agnihotri, Congress state in-charge Rajni Patil, Himachal Pradesh Congress President Vinay Kumar, Punjab Congress President Amarinder Singh Raja Warring, and Jammu & Kashmir Congress President Tariq Hameed were among the prominent leaders present on the occasion.
The training camp is being seen as part of the Congress party’s efforts to strengthen its organisational structure at the district and block levels across the three states ahead of future electoral challenges.
