Congress needs revamping urgently

The first and foremost task before the Congress party is to overhaul organizational set-ups at all levels to infuse life into them, which are almost lifeless of all over the nation. The party workers are demoralized at defeat in one election after another in the state. They have become listless from the block to state and national level. Only the charismatic personalities of Gandhi family will no longer bring about any miracle in the 2014 Lok Sabha elections. To fight strongly in 2014, the party leaders must listen to workers’ views and desires patiently and act accordingly. The dismal performance of the Congress Party in the just-concluded assembly elections in Uttar Pradesh despite very hard campaigning by none other than party general Secretary Rahul Gandhi has shattered the morale of party workers especially in the areas which have been the pocket boroughs of Gandhi family- Amethi and Rae Bareli. The result in the UP assembly elections is a loss of face for Rahul Gandhi also. It has also given clear signal that the party needs to overhaul its organizational set-up all over the state if it has to be in the reckoning to retain power at the Centre. The party organization at all levels from bock to state capital level is in a mess. This has been reflected in party workers outpourings against local level leaders before Rahul Gandhi who visited Amethi to review the just-concluded elections in Uttar Pradesh. Apart from the organizational paralysis of the Congress party in the state, failure of its government at the Centre to rein in price rise and check corruption are among the most important reasons for its defeat. The organizational set-up of the party is so weak that the workers fail to take the message among the people about the centrally launched pro-poor programmes, policies and projects. The opposition party ruled states take their advantage. While reviewing the defeat, the Congress leadership must ensure that grass root workers’ opinions are not ignored by the local level leaders of the party. Rahul Gandhi has faced a barrage of complaints against local-level leaders and he promised that those who harmed the party during the elections would be identified and shown the door. Congress Party has fared dismally even in areas which were considered its stronghold. Mr. Gandhi has assured that the organization would be revamped and priority would be given to active, honest and dedicated workers. Congress workers are the backbone of the party and their voice must be heard. Party leaders need to motivate and encourage the workers so that they could not get discouraged and start preparing for the 2014 Lok Sabha elections in full gusto and sincerity. Genuine party workers are critical of some vested interests in the party who have been harassing them. Party workers’ grievances must be looked into without any delay. Otherwise, writing on the wall is not encouraging.