Rahul addresses Congress training camp in Kurukshetra, shares ‘Guru mantra’ with cadres

Kurukshetra: Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha and senior Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Wednesday addressed an organisation-building training camp of Congress district presidents from Haryana and Uttarakhand, held at Punjabi Dharamshala in Kurukshetra. He gave clear guidance as Guru Mantra (master's guidance) on strengthening the party organisation in their respective states and enforcing discipline at all levels. Sources said that 33 Congress district presidents from Haryana and 27 from Uttarakhand attended the camp.Rahul stayed in Haryana for nearly 6 hours, from 10:30 am to 5:30 pm. He arrived in Kurukshetra at about 11:20 am from Ambala by road, and took off from Ambala at about 5:30 pm after attending the training camp. As per sources, Rahul Gandhi arrived in Kurukshetra in the same vehicle with former Haryana chief minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda, Rao Narendra Singh and AICC general secretary B K Hariprasad. Earlier, the three leaders, along with MP Deepender Singh Hooda, Ambala City MLA Nirmal Singh, and other senior leaders received Rahul Gandhi at the Ambala airport. On his return from Kurukshetra as well, Rahul Gandhi travelled with Hooda and Rao Narendra Singh. Sources privy to the camp said that during his address, Rahul Gandhi briefed all district presidents in detail about the Congress party's history, ideology and future strategy. He urged them to work with full dedication, enthusiasm and commitment to strengthen the party, while taking proper guidance from the senior leaders. He also met the family members of the district presidents individually, who were specially invited by the Congress leader to talk to him if they wanted to say something. "Rahul ate lunch with district presidents and held separate discussions with them. Strict discipline was maintained at the training camp, and no media or other people were allowed inside. Rahul Gandhi also held discussions with Bhupinder Singh Hooda, Rao Narendra Singh and B K Hariprasad, during which he took detailed inputs on the political situation and ongoing developments in Haryana. He directed the state leadership to implement discipline within the party and the organisation with seriousness and strictness. He specifically instructed Bhupinder Singh Hooda and the state Congress president to take action against leaders indulging in anti-party statements and activities. In an indirect but clear message, Rahul Gandhi also cautioned those leaders who were not participating wholeheartedly in programmes announced by the party high command," said a source. The district presidents, in their interaction with Rahul Gandhi, provided feedback regarding state leaders. They pointed out that frequent irresponsible statements by certain leaders damaged the Congress, while benefiting the BJP. The district presidents emphasised that it was essential to curb such statements in the larger interest of the Congress. Sources said that Rahul told district presidents, "The prevailing empire of corrupt power poses a major challenge," but stressed that party workers must confront these challenges with courage and further reinforce the organisation. "No one can suppress your voice because a strong organisation like the Congress stands with you. You are capable and empowered. There is no need to take decisions under pressure—work independently. We will periodically assess your progress and continue to provide guidance and support whenever required," Rahul said. A district president who joined the training said, "District presidents of Uttarakhand and Haryana were called for a meeting. Families of district presidents were also called, and Rahul Ji held individual meetings with them. During the training session, we ate lunch together. A group discussion on how to strengthen the party and organisational structure was also held." "Rahul Ji gave instructions to take forward policies of the party to every household and also to give respect to every party worker. He directed that the district presidents and party workers should hold more meetings with the general public, rather than party leaders," said a district president. Congress MPs Kumari Selja, Randeep Singh Surjewala, Deepender Hooda, Uttarakhand chief Ganesh Godiyal, co-in-charges Jitendra Baghel and Prafulla Gudde were present. MSID:: 126997937 413 |