The Hindu : New Delhi News : Congress hails Sonia on completing 10 years as party chief

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Saturday, Mar 15, 2008
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Congress hails Sonia on completing 10 years as party chief

Gargi Parsai

CWC resolution expresses “deep gratitude” to her

She becomes the first president of the Congress to complete a decade in office
‘She led the process of party revival while it was passing through a turbulent phase’

NEW DELHI: As Congress president Sonia Gandhi becomes the first party chief to complete 10 years in office on March 14, Congress Working Committee (CWC) members have hailed her “dynamic and courageous leadership” that arrested the “drift and despondency that had gripped the party during the preceding years.”

The CWC members passed a resolution at a meeting held at Prime Minister Manmohan Singh’s residence that placed on record the party’s “deep gratitude” to her for her leadership. The resolution, moved by senior leader and Union Minister for External Affairs Pranab Mukherjee, was seconded by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh.

High values

Speaking to mediapersons, Mr. Mukherjee said this was a meeting of the members of the CWC, permanent invitees, ex-officio members and special invitees. Rahul Gandhi was among those who attended. Party general secretary Janardhan Dwivedi quoted the Prime Minister as saying that Ms. Gandhi had set high values not only in party and national politics, but also in social life.

“Historic milestone”

Describing the moment as a “historic milestone,” the resolution recognised her contribution in revitalising the party when it was going through a turbulent phase and was confronted with daunting challenges.

“As the president of the AICC, she worked tirelessly, travelling the length and breadth of the country to lead the process of the party’s revival. She galvanised the rank and file which led to the party’s successful campaign in the 2004 general elections proving skeptics wrong and ensuring the formation of the Congress-led United Progressive Alliance government.”

Inner-party democracy

On the heels of her son’s recent remarks on inner-party democracy, the resolution said that Ms. Gandhi had strengthened the organisation through “her belief in free and democratic exchange of views and consensus-building on important policy initiatives.”

Achievements listed

The resolution referred to the various achievements of the UPA government including the National Rural Employment Guarantee Act and the Loan Waiver Scheme for Farmers and noted Ms. Gandhi’s initiative in the United Nations’ declaration of October 2 as International Day of Non-Violence.

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