New Delhi [India], June 8 (ANI): After being unanimously elected as Chairperson of the Congress Parliamentary Party (CPP), Congress leader Sonia Gandhi emphasized on Saturday that the Indian National Congress has proven its resilience in the face of formidable challenges in the recently concluded Lok Sabha polls, adding that the party is being strengthened by the support of its allies within the INDIA bloc.
Sonia Gandhi congratulated the newly elected Lok Sabha MPs and said that they've fought a tough election under the most challenging of circumstances -- defying the slogan of BJP's "Congress-mukt Bharat."
"I am deeply conscious of the great responsibility all of you have placed on me yet again. Let me first of all greet and congratulate all the newly elected Lok Sabha MPs. You have fought a tough election under the most challenging of circumstances. You have surmounted many obstacles and campaigned so very effectively. Your success has given us a much greater presence in the Lok Sabha and a more effective voice in its proceedings, both of which will help give greater strength to our participation," she said in her speech which was posted on X by party leader Jairam Ramesh.
Sonia Gandhi appreciated Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge for his commitment to the party organization.
"The Indian National Congress has once again demonstrated its resilience. It was up against a mighty and malevolent machine that was doing its utmost to destroy us. It tried to cripple us financially. It carried out a campaign against us and our leaders that was full of lies and defamation. Many wrote our obituaries!But under the determined leadership of Khargeji, we persevered. He is an inspiration to all of us. His commitment to the party organization is truly extraordinary and we all have to learn from his example," the Congress leader said.
Calling Bharat Jodo Yatra and the Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra as 'historic movements', Sonia Gandhi thanked Rahul Gandhi for his tenacity and determination to fight on in the face of unprecedented personal and political attacks.
"The Bharat Jodo Yatra and the Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra were really historic movements which rejuvenated our party at all levels. Rahul deserves special thanks for his tenacity and determination to fight on in the face of unprecedented personal and political attacks. He also shaped our narrative on guarantees and protection of the Constitution very sharply," she said.
Sonia Gandhi also thanked all the colleagues and workers across the country who worked so hard and so very diligently for the party's success.
"The CWC Resolution passed earlier in the day has also thanked all our colleagues and workers across the country who worked so hard and so very diligently for our success. On your behalf, I wish to reiterate that sentiment strongly. Lakhs of workers in both rural and urban areas have stood by the party in the most difficult of times. We salute their courage and commitment. We owe them a debt of gratitude. Ours has also been a campaign where we have functioned truly as a collective.To those of our colleagues who contested the elections but lost I extend our full support and tell them that they fought valiantly and did our party proud," she said.
Highlighting the increased numbers of party's member in Parliament, the Congress leader said, "Our numbers in Parliament have increased significantly. Not only is the Indian National Congress a large contingent in the Lok Sabha but we are bolstered by the strength of our INDIA partners some of whom have themselves come back impressively."
"Yet, as we celebrate our recovery, we must also reflect on what we need to do to improve our position in states where our performance has been far below our expectations. The Congress President spoke about this earlier in the day at the CWC and I wish to reinforce his plea," she added.
Hitting out at Prime Minister-designate Narendra Modi over his governance in the last 10 years, Sonia Gandhi said that since the former who sought the mandate solely has faced the defeat in this Lok Sabha election, it is the responsibility of the CPP to have a special obligation to be watchful, vigilant and proactive in holding him and his new NDA Government accountable.
"The Prime Minister who sought the mandate solely in his name to the exclusion of both his party and its allies has suffered a political and moral defeat. In reality, he has lost the mandate he sought and thereby lost the right to leadership as well. Yet, far from taking responsibility for failure he intends to get himself sworn in again tomorrow. We do not expect him to change the substance and style of his governance, nor take cognizance of the will of the people. That is why, as members of the CPP, we have a special obligation to be watchful, vigilant and proactive in holding him and his new NDA Government accountable," she said.
"No longer can and should Parliament be bulldozed like it has been for a decade now. No longer will the writ of the ruling establishment be permitted to disrupt Parliament, whimsically mistreat members or push through legislation without due and proper consideration and debate. No longer can and should Parliamentary Committees be ignored or by-passed like they have been since 2014. No longer will Parliament be muzzled and stifled as it has been over the past ten years," the Congress leader added.
She said that in this election the people have voted decisively to reject the politics of divisiveness and authoritarianism.
"We have challenging times ahead. We have to be alert to prevent any attempts to increase polarization and erosion of secular and democratic values enshrined in our Constitution by the ruling cabal. All such attempts have to be thwarted. This is a renewed opportunity for us as a Party that established parliamentary democracy in our country to bring parliamentary politics back on track to where they legitimately belongs. In this election the people have voted decisively to reject the politics of divisiveness and authoritarianism," Sonia Gandhi stated.
"They have voted to strengthen parliamentary politics and safeguard our Constitution. They have voted for the agenda of economic and social justice. That indeed should continue to be our objective and guide. Friends, this is a very emotional moment for me. I have received so much love and affection from you. Let me close by the assurance to you all that I will do my best and more to fulfill the trust and confidence you have continued to place in me," she added. (ANI)
