With only two days left, the stage is set for the Congress’ presidential election between veteran Mallikarjun Kharge and high-profile MP Shashi Tharoor for the first time in two decades. While polling will be held on October 17, the counting of votes will take place on October 19 and results will be declared on the same day. More than 9,000 Pradesh Congress Committee (PCC) representatives will vote in the election.
Tharoor had said that he and Kharge are allies and whoever wins will be the victory of the party. Kharge had described Tharoor as his younger brother and said that there was no difference between them.
Tharoor has released an election manifesto outlining his priorities, while Kharge said his only agenda is to implement the party’s Udaipur Declaration. As the two leaders gear up for a fight, here is a look at the promises and priorities of both the leaders on being elected Congress President.
Udaipur Declaration Priority for Kharge
Congress’ presidential candidate Mallikarjun Kharge says he did not have a separate election manifesto and his only agenda is to implement the announcement adopted by the party at the Chintan Shivir held earlier in the year in Rajasthan. The Congress held a three-day brainstorming session ‘Chit Shivir’ in Rajasthan’s Udaipur in May to devise a strategy for realignment and revival of the party in the wake of a series of electoral defeats.
He promised to offer 50 per cent of party posts to those below the age of 50 if he wins the election. Kharge said that he believes in a collective approach and takes everyone including youth and women along and will work with all the members to take the party to newer heights.
The old man further said that he would try to solve the issues related to farmers, workers, SC, ST, OBC, minorities and small traders. He also said that there should be a fight against disinvestment of PSUs, rising unemployment, depreciating rupee, price rise and GST on essential commodities.
Stating that the situation in the country was “bad”, Kharge said he was contesting the election for the party president’s post “to fight against the BJP” and accused the ruling party of “diluting” autonomous bodies like the Central Bureau of Investigation. charged up. (CBI), Enforcement Directorate (ED) and Income Tax Department.
Tharoor’s election manifesto
Stating that leaders like Kharge cannot bring change and will continue with the current system, Tharoor promised to bring changes in the party as per the expectations of the workers.
He suggested that the Congress should rejuvenate itself, especially at the village, block, district and state as well as national level by bringing fresh faces and young blood to its leadership.
He proposed decentralization of the organization and said that Congress should give real power to PCC presidents and empower the grassroot level functionaries of the party.
In his manifesto he said that the Congress should have a full-time president who is accessible to all and suggested five vice-presidents from different regions.
He introduced the “one person one post” rule, including term limits for party positions, 50% tickets for those under 50, and increased representation for women, youth, SC/ST/OBC and minorities in party positions. He also promised to implement the Udaipur Declaration.
Read also: ‘Can’t you see the difference?’ Tharoor laments hot treatment for Kharge in Congress-Quest
Kharge vs Tharoor An uneven contest?
Kharge’s nomination is reportedly backed by the likes of the Gandhi family, giving him an edge over Tharoor. Many senior party leaders including AK Antony, Ashok Gehlot, Ambika Soni, Mukul Wasnik, Abhishek Singhvi, Ajay Maken, Bhupinder Singh Hooda, Digvijay Singh, Tariq Anwar, Salman Khurshid, Pramod Tiwari, PL Punia, Rajiv Shukla, Prithviraj Chavan and Manish Tiwari has supported Kharge’s nomination. Tharoor also admitted that recently in most states except Madhya Pradesh, senior leaders have rallied in support of Kharge and said that open support to his rival candidate has given an equal chance.
Tharoor, who has been building his campaign on social media on the tagline “Think Tomorrow, Think Tharoor”, has received support from young leaders like Sivaganga MP Karti Chidambaram, Kishanganj MP Mohammad Javed and Navgong MP Pradyut Bordoloi for his nomination.
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