CWC meet in Belagavi: Congress’ Nava Satyagraha to mark Gandhi’s legacy

Ahead of its extended CWC meeting, the Congress on 26 December, Thursday, said it will rededicate itself to protect, preserve, and promote Mahatma Gandhi's legacy which is under "systematic assault by the ideological brotherhood that fought him bitterly".

In a bid to get battle-ready for the challenges ahead, the Congress will decide on an action plan for 2025 at its CWC meeting, named the 'Nav Satyagraha Baithak', being held in Karnataka's Belagavi to mark the 100th anniversary of the 1924 Belgaum session of the Congress that was presided over by Mahatma Gandhi.

This, the 39th session of the Indian National Congress was the only one that the Mahatma presided over but remains a historic meeting.

"Today is the hundredth anniversary day of Mahatma Gandhi's presidency of the Indian National Congress. It is a proud moment for all Congressmen across the country to commemorate this occasion," AICC general secretary organisation K.C. Venugopal said, speaking to media today.

The opposition party has also asserted that the "insult" to Dr B.R. Ambedkar by home minister Amit Shah will be taken up for deliberation at the Belagavi meeting and that there will be a "strong follow-up" on the issue.

In a post on X, Congress general secretary in-charge communications Jairam Ramesh said, 'Mahatma Gandhi took over as President of @INCIndia on Dec 26th, 1924 — 100 years ago at what was then called Belgaum, now Belgavi. It was a historic session.'

'Today the Extended Working Committee is holding its Nava Satyagraha Baithak at that very same place. It will rededicate itself to protect, preserve, and promote Mahatma Gandhi's legacy — which is under systematic assault by the ideological brotherhood that fought him bitterly, and that attacked the Constitution when it was adopted,' he said.

Addressing a joint press conference on Tuesday, 24 December, along with Congress general secretary organisation K.C. Venugopal and AICC media and publicity department head Pawan Khera, Ramesh said the extended Congress Working Committee (CWC) meeting on 26 December has been named the 'Nav Satyagraha Baithak' and will see two resolutions being passed.

Ramesh said that on 27 December, a 'Jai Bapu, Jai Bhim, Jai Samvidhan' rally will be held in Belagavi.

Venugopal told the media in Belagavi this morning that the extended CWC gathering would also discuss various current political developments in the country, in addition to the BJP's alleged attack on the Constitution and its architect, B.R. Ambedkar.

He said the Congress, after deliberating on several issues faced by the country, will come out with "clear-cut" ideas to address them and to counter the BJP's efforts.

About 200 leaders, including CWC members, permanent invitees, special invitees, central election committee members, Pradesh Congress Committee members, CLP leaders of the state, parliamentary party office bearers, and former party chief ministers will attend the "historic session".

At 2:30 p.m. on 26 December, the 'Nav Satyagrah Baithak' will commence at Mahatma Gandhi ; on 27 December, the 'Jai Bapu, Jai Bheem, Jai Samvidhan' rally will be held in Belagavi from 11:30 a.m.

Members of Parliament from the Congress party, AICC functionaries and lakhs of Congress workers will participate in the rally at Mahatma Gandhi Nagar.

As part of the Karnataka government's programme to commemorate the occasion, Leader of the Opposition in the Rajya Sabha and AICC president Mallikarjun Kharge and Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi will unveil a statue of the Mahatma on 27 December at the Suvarna Vidhana Soudha.

With PTI inputs