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Plenary Session Live: All action from day 2 

Developments and updates from Day 2 of the Congress party’s 84th plenary session. Under new president Rahul Gandhi, Congress aims to set the agenda for the 2019 Lok Sabha polls

NH photo by Vishwadeepak
NH photo by Vishwadeepak Congress party’s 84th plenary session kicks off at Talkatora Stadium

Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina remembers former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi

Communist Party of China congratulates Congress President Rahul Gandhi

President of The African National Congress, Cyril Ramaphosa extends best wishes

Palestinian President congratulates Rahul Gandhi, appreciates Congress’ support to Palestinian cause

“Since its inception, the PLO and India, under the rule of Congress party, have maintained closed cooperation. We will remain grateful to India for its policy towards preserving the rights of Palestinians, particularly with in the United Nations,” said Dr Nabeel Shaath, advisor to the Palestinian president in a letter written on behalf of president Mahmoud Abbas.

“We highly appreciate the significant role played by the leaders of Congress party namely Jawaharlal Nehru, Indira Gandhi, Rajiv Gandhi and Sonia Gandhi in the NAM in defending the Palestinian cause. And we are quite confident that newly elected leader, Rahul Gandhi will follow the path of his ancestors in promoting relations and friendship between the people of two countries.”

Published: 17 Mar 2018, 8:59 AM IST

Congress president Rahul Gandhi hugs his mother and former party president Sonia Gandhi after speech at the plenary session at Indira Gandhi Indoor Stadium, New Delhi on Saturday.

Today a new chapter of the Congress party has begun. We need to build a nation that provides for every citizen. Every Congress member will dedicate their life to take this nation to great heights: Sonia Gandhi

Congress is fighting the tyrannical Modi Govt. People have begun to realise that the promises made by the BJP in 2014 were hollow: UPA Chairperson Sonia Gandhi

There is only one priority: How to make Congress party stronger. Congress is not just a party, but an idea several years ahead of it's time: Sonia Gandhi

Sonia Gandhi slams Modi government

Sonia Gandhi criticised Modi government, saying that in its arrogance the government has tried everything to destroy the Congress. Calling Modi a dictator, Sonia said that "we are exposing their false promises in front of the people.”

"Today I am saddened to see that Modi government is weakening and ignoring the schemes and programs implemented during UPA. Congress has never cowered down and it will never cower down."

Published: 17 Mar 2018, 8:59 AM IST

Modi government is intoxicated with power and it has unleashed hatred. Congress has never bowed down to pressure, and it will never bow down. Modi Government is autocratic and it's bothering media: Sonia Gandhi

During the UPA government under Manmohan Singh, the country registered strongest economy and GDP, said Sonia Gandhi.

Indira's Ji's stunning victory in Chikmagalur 40 years back turned around Indian politics. Once again our party must give a similar performance, says Sonia at the AICC Plenary session in Delhi.

Sonia Gandhi congratulated Rahul Gandhi on taking the reins of the party as its President. Rahul has taken charge of the party in challenging times, she said.

Former Congress president Sonia Gandhi addresses party's plenary session

The power of truth

Had Gandhi ji been alive today, he would have been making the most of social media to promote truth and morality in politics, says Congress leader and journalist Kumar Ketkar

Panel discussion on 'The Power of Truth'

Panel discussion on role of media

Give importance to Hindi and regional languages of the country, says Mrinal Pandey

Published: 17 Mar 2018, 8:59 AM IST

On corruption, the party said that the BJP government "lacks sincerity in fighting corruption, to ensure transparency and accountability. This is underscored by its non-appointment of Lokpal".

The resolution also called upon the media to restore the balance in national narrative to safeguard democracy.

Emphasis on judicial reforms

The resolution said that the judicial system needed urgent reforms for effective and timely dispensation of justice and said the huge pendency of cases and providing affordable justice remains a big challenge that needs to be addressed.

Published: 17 Mar 2018, 8:59 AM IST

‘BJP indulging in political witch-hunt’

"The Congress condemns the BJP government for brazen abuse of power and misuse of central agencies for targeted political vendetta to harass, humiliate and persecute its political opponents,” the resolution said and added, “the Congress party warns the BJP and its government that its undemocratic methods and acts to curtail liberty, freedom of expression and violation of fundamental rights of its citizens as enshrined in the Constitution will be strongly resisted.”

Published: 17 Mar 2018, 8:59 AM IST

Congress' draft resolution

The political resolution called for reverting to the old practice of paper ballot as adopted by other major democracies to help restore the credibility of the electoral process. This, it said, was necessary as there were misgivings on "misuse" of EVMs to "manipulate the outcome contrary to popular verdict".

It also said that the BJP's move of simultaneous elections is "misplaced" and is "incompatible with the Constitution as also impractical".

"It will have serious implications, which must be thoroughly enquired into, and a national consensus built," it said. (PTI)

Published: 17 Mar 2018, 8:59 AM IST

'Country stands at the crossroads'

In its political resolution moved at the party's 84th Plenary Session, the party said that at a time when the country stood at the crossroads, facing the threat posed by "authoritarian, divisive and disruptive forces", the Congress is committed to serve the people of India with its illustrious history and legacy that represent multi-cultural, multi-lingual and multi-religious India. (PTI)

Published: 17 Mar 2018, 8:59 AM IST

Congress' draft resolution

“The RSS-BJP is misrepresenting, distorting and misusing religion to exploit the sentiments of the people and capture political power. The toxic mix of religion and politics poses a challenge to our pluralistic society and inclusive democracy. RSS, which claims to be a social and cultural organisation, masquerades as the sole representative of the Hindus,” the resolution read, adding that “the Indian tradition and the essence of Hinduism has been all-encompassing, upholder of human values and our composite culture. It is distinct and must not be confused with Hindutva, which is essentially a political ideology.”

Published: 17 Mar 2018, 8:59 AM IST

Congress slams BJP-RSS

The Congress launched a scathing attack at the BJP-RSS saying the country's core constitutional values are under attack and freedom of all is in jeopardywith institutions under stress and their independence compromised. The party said that under the BJP regime, the people of the country, be it farmers, labourers, unorganised sector workers, self-employed, dalits, traders, minorities and the poor have been “betrayed”. (PTI)

Published: 17 Mar 2018, 8:59 AM IST

Agenda for the 84th Congress Plenary

Modi govt. has become threat to democracy, says Congress Lok Sabha leader Mallikarjun Kharge

Congress party led India to independence and helped establish democracy. It was democracy which brought PM Modi to power but, ironically, his government itself has now become a threat to democracy.

Published: 17 Mar 2018, 8:59 AM IST

'Inspired by Mahatma Gandhi'

Congress Lok Sabha leader Mallikarjun Kharge

Congress people don’t speak loudly against Modi government. We have defeated ourselves. No one else has the strength to defeat us. If Congress party lost it is because of infighting among members. I request everyone to unite and come together as one.

Published: 17 Mar 2018, 8:59 AM IST

Congress Lok Sabha leader Mallikarjun Kharge

Modi when came to power said “na khaunga, na khane dunga” (neither will I take bribe, nor will I allow anyone to take bribe). But what is happening today. He is allowing his friends to indulge in corruption. Modi government is supporting corruption and scamsters

Published: 17 Mar 2018, 8:59 AM IST

Congress Lok Sabha leader Mallikarjun Kharge

Continuing Nehru’s legacy, Sonia brought right to food policy. ISRO was started by the Congress. Congress set up world class technical education institutions.

Published: 17 Mar 2018, 8:59 AM IST

Congress Lok Sabha leader Mallikarjun Kharge

Our PM says, ‘what Congress did in the past 70 years’. We want to tell him what the Congress did for the country. In 1954 Nehru started 5 year plan. When BJP came to power, they changed its name and made it Niti Aayog. When our country was not able to manufacture even a single needle, he laid the foundation of big factories and dams. We did not have enough food grains to feed people, Nehru started Green Revolution.

Published: 17 Mar 2018, 8:59 AM IST

Rahul Gandhi speaks at plenary session

The difference between our party and the incumbent ruling party is that they follow the ideology of hatred while we follow the ideology of love and fraternity. The tradition of the Congress party is to embrace change without forgetting our past and legacy.

Published: 17 Mar 2018, 8:59 AM IST

Congress will move forward with the support of party veterans and the youth. My job is to take them together: Rahul Gandhi

Congress plenary session 2018

When youths look at PM Modi, they can't see the way forward. Congress is the only party which will take country forward: Rahul Gandhi

Rahul Gandhi: Anger is being spread across the country, nation is getting divided, one is made to fight against other. Congress' job is to keep them together. You have the strength of this Hand symbol in you.

Rahul Gandhi at Congress plenary session: Country is tired. It is looking for a way out. Congress is the only party that can show the path.

Many international leaders at the Congress Plenary session. Representatives from Palestine and Mozambique at the Plenary session.

Prime Minister of Bangladesh Shaikh Hasina and Chairman of the Communist Party of Nepal have sent their congratulatory messages

UK Labour Party has sent its message

Published: 17 Mar 2018, 8:59 AM IST

Young leaders in the forefront. UP leader Nadeem Javed began the session; now Congress MP and All India Mahila Congress president Sushmita Dev to conduct proceedings. Earlier senior leaders like Janardhan Dwivedi used to conduct sessions.

Delhi Congress chief Ajay Maken, in his welcome speech, asks all to shed their egos to be able to fight the opponent unitedly.

Congress President Rahul Gandhi arrives leading the team, accompanied by former Congress president Sonia Gandhi and former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh

Congress plenary session begins

NH Photo by Vishwadeepak

Watch: Congress MP Shashi Tharoor talk about the winds of change both in the country and the party

We are seeing wind of change, Rahul ji wants change. He is trying to change the stereotype of the Congress, said Manish Doshi, Spokesperson, Gujarat Congress.

The new leadership is very articulate in choosing the punch line Change is Now as it speaks for both country and organisation, said Nadeem Javed.

Congress President Rahul Gandhi tweeted:

Watch: Festive atmosphere at Talkatora Stadium ahead of Congress 84th plenary session Day 2

Exhibition of Past Congress Presidents at Congress Plenary

NH Photo by Vishwadeepak

Festive atmosphere at Talkatora Stadium

Upbeat Congress workers are singing a lot of patriotic songs, including Sab se sage honge Hindustani

Published: 17 Mar 2018, 8:59 AM IST

Priyanka Gandhi monitors arrangements backstage

Priyanka Gandhi and Sam Pitroda seen monitoring all arrangements from the back of the stage at Talkatora Stadium

Published: 17 Mar 2018, 8:59 AM IST

Sewa Dal members at Congress Plenary, Talkatora Stadium

NH Photo by Vishwadeepak

Congress political resolution expected to spell out strategy on alliances

In the backdrop of BJP’s continuous defeats in the bypolls, the political resolution will spell out the party's strategy on alliances against the BJP-led NDA in 2019

Published: 17 Mar 2018, 8:59 AM IST

Congress to pass four resolutions setting the agenda for 2019 polls

The Congress will pass four resolutions—one each on political and economic situation, another on foreign policy and the fourth on agriculture and unemployment

Published: 17 Mar 2018, 8:59 AM IST

Day 2 of Congress party 84th plenary session begins

With the aim to set the agenda for the 2019 Lok Sabha polls, the Congress party kicked off its 84th plenary session under the new president Rahul Gandhi on Friday. The plenary, being held after eight years, will ratify Rahul Gandhi's election as Congress President.

Published: 17 Mar 2018, 8:59 AM IST

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Published: 17 Mar 2018, 8:59 AM IST