Jaipur declaration sets tone for 2014 poll
21 Jan 2013 7:30 AM IST
After the two-day intense brainstorming session – Chintan Shivir – of the Congress which was divided into five subgroups, and the outcome of discussions from each of them was finalized and drafted into the ‘Jaipur Declaration’, which lays the roadmap for 2014 Lok Sabha election strategy for the party.
These groups were based on five central themes – political challenges, emerging socio-economic challenges, women’s empowerment and gender justice, India and the world and organisational issues accordingly headed by AK Antony, Digvijay Singh, Girja Vyas, Anand Sharma and Ghulam Nabi Azad respectively.
Keeping in mind political challenges, the Jaipur declaration highlights key areas like ‘the promise of stability and good governance’ also emphasis on core values like ‘secularism, nationalism, social justice, social cohesion and economic growth…’ keeping in mind the aad aadmi. Giving every Indian ‘a sense of security’ from ‘external and internal threats’. Also focus of the party to the ‘poor and marginalised’ which includes ‘ dalits, advisasis, OBCs, minorities and women’ also looking into the ‘empowerment of weaker sections of society.’ There will be a major focus on ‘fighting corruption’.
There would also be ‘political mobilisation’ which is ‘critical to ensuring peace in areas where militancy, insurgency and leftwing extremism exist.’
While the subgroup on emerging socio-economic challenges includes the aspect of ensuring ‘inclusive growth with jobs to reduce inequality.’ It raises the issue of ‘poverty and deprivation,’ creating opportunities and continue ‘fight against inflation.’ There is a special emphasis on ‘rights of minorities’ are not being fully secured. There is a need to ‘create a business environment conducive to investment and entrepreneurship,’ so India can be favorably projected to ‘domestic and foreign investors.’
The party laid emphasis on ‘empowering local governments-panchayati raj institutions and urban local bodies.’ Focus on education and also on the youth. Importance of agriculture sector, ‘rapid development of public infrastructure’ and significance of labor, inclusion of ‘technology and innovation’ in India’s ‘inclusive growth’ were other issues in this subgroup.
Thirdly the women’s empowerment and gender justice group, laid focus on ‘empowering of women’ and also safety issues. Issues related to discrimination, atrocities against women and safety and security of women have been raised in this. Need for education, ‘special needs of female agricultural labour and women cultivators’ need for ‘stronger legal protection and women equality’ are some important issues. The need to ‘enable increased participation of women at all levels’ not less than 30 per cent has been ensured by the party. The party will give ‘decent pension’ to women above 60 and also to destitute, deserted and widowed women between 18-60 years’ India and the world group headed by Anand Sharma, in the declaration stated that the party is ‘committed to the articulation and implementation of a robust and dynamic foreign policy.’ India has a ‘central role to in the process of Asian economic integration’. It said that the biggest threat being faced is of terrorism and also highlighted the issue of ‘cultural diplomacy.’
Finally, the organisational issues group included recommendations which focused on inclusiveness . For the upcoming 2014 polls ‘the PCCs and state ministers will be responsible for ensuring successful implementation of the manifesto’. While in the non-Congress-ruled states, the Congress will draw out current and relevant issues list and hold ‘aggressive demonstrations and agitations from grassroots to state level’ regularly. The party will appoint ‘booth level assistants with the express purpose of assisting the election commission’ to enroll new voters. They will launch ‘a mass contact programme’ to share achievements and gather feedback. There will be a ‘push for closer integration between the parent party and various frontal organisations.’ Also need to ‘create a new organisational unit at panchayat level’ said the declaration.
THE BIG DAY
SONIA WORKS AT CREATING A CONNECT WITH URBAN WOMEN
On the final day of the three-day Jaipur Congress conclave, party president Sonia Gandhi stressed on key areas related to youth participation and corruption, laying special emphasis to the recent Delhi gangrape incident.
Sonia Gandhi focused on ‘the issue of safety and security of women’ and in her speech and specifically said, ‘ The barbaric gangrape of a young woman in the nation’s capital has shaken the entire country.’ She said people were ‘rightly demanding answers and action. This brave woman in many ways embodied the spirit of an aspirational India. We will ensure that her death will not have been in vain.’ She said that this girl ‘is tragically a symbol of thousands of women, and children , who suffer a similar fate, whose lives are ruined or worse, and who are denied justice.’
Addressing the AICC members at the Birla Auditorium on Sunday, in the meet held after the two-day Chintan Shivir, she said that she was ‘ delighted with the active participation of so may of our younger colleagues at the Chintan Shivir. Engaging the youth more centrally in our organisation is necessary.’ Her remarks come in a day after Rahul Gandhi was appointed as the vice president of AICC, ushering a whole new era of youth leadership. Rahul’s participation in this event has been significant as he brought in a huge number of youth leaders.
Raising the key issue of corruption’ Sonia said ‘ let me reiterate corruption at levels is a deep-rooted malaise and all sections of our society are affected by it.’ She talked about the importance of Lokpal Bill and also the introduction of ‘new path-breaking legislation for redressing public grievances,for protecting whistle-blowers and for ensuring transparency in large government purchases and contracts.’
The Congress president said that during the two-day Shivir, ‘gender justice and equality’ was one of the key issues discussed. There was an emphasis on the fact that the government needs to act on this issue ensuring ‘welfare and well-being of women.’ She talked about new programmes being launched and new laws being enacted. ‘Ajeevika - the expansion and strengthening of women’s self-help groups is one of our key flagship programmes,’ she said.
The main and focal point of her speech was the ‘unspeakable atrocities on women and children’ and the need for ‘full empowerment of women.’ She said, ‘I assure you I will continue to press for a law for 30 per cent reservation for women in Parliament and assemblies.’
During her speech, she also talked about the UPA government working very well under the leadership of Manmohan Singh.
These groups were based on five central themes – political challenges, emerging socio-economic challenges, women’s empowerment and gender justice, India and the world and organisational issues accordingly headed by AK Antony, Digvijay Singh, Girja Vyas, Anand Sharma and Ghulam Nabi Azad respectively.
Keeping in mind political challenges, the Jaipur declaration highlights key areas like ‘the promise of stability and good governance’ also emphasis on core values like ‘secularism, nationalism, social justice, social cohesion and economic growth…’ keeping in mind the aad aadmi. Giving every Indian ‘a sense of security’ from ‘external and internal threats’. Also focus of the party to the ‘poor and marginalised’ which includes ‘ dalits, advisasis, OBCs, minorities and women’ also looking into the ‘empowerment of weaker sections of society.’ There will be a major focus on ‘fighting corruption’.
There would also be ‘political mobilisation’ which is ‘critical to ensuring peace in areas where militancy, insurgency and leftwing extremism exist.’
While the subgroup on emerging socio-economic challenges includes the aspect of ensuring ‘inclusive growth with jobs to reduce inequality.’ It raises the issue of ‘poverty and deprivation,’ creating opportunities and continue ‘fight against inflation.’ There is a special emphasis on ‘rights of minorities’ are not being fully secured. There is a need to ‘create a business environment conducive to investment and entrepreneurship,’ so India can be favorably projected to ‘domestic and foreign investors.’
The party laid emphasis on ‘empowering local governments-panchayati raj institutions and urban local bodies.’ Focus on education and also on the youth. Importance of agriculture sector, ‘rapid development of public infrastructure’ and significance of labor, inclusion of ‘technology and innovation’ in India’s ‘inclusive growth’ were other issues in this subgroup.
Thirdly the women’s empowerment and gender justice group, laid focus on ‘empowering of women’ and also safety issues. Issues related to discrimination, atrocities against women and safety and security of women have been raised in this. Need for education, ‘special needs of female agricultural labour and women cultivators’ need for ‘stronger legal protection and women equality’ are some important issues. The need to ‘enable increased participation of women at all levels’ not less than 30 per cent has been ensured by the party. The party will give ‘decent pension’ to women above 60 and also to destitute, deserted and widowed women between 18-60 years’ India and the world group headed by Anand Sharma, in the declaration stated that the party is ‘committed to the articulation and implementation of a robust and dynamic foreign policy.’ India has a ‘central role to in the process of Asian economic integration’. It said that the biggest threat being faced is of terrorism and also highlighted the issue of ‘cultural diplomacy.’
Finally, the organisational issues group included recommendations which focused on inclusiveness . For the upcoming 2014 polls ‘the PCCs and state ministers will be responsible for ensuring successful implementation of the manifesto’. While in the non-Congress-ruled states, the Congress will draw out current and relevant issues list and hold ‘aggressive demonstrations and agitations from grassroots to state level’ regularly. The party will appoint ‘booth level assistants with the express purpose of assisting the election commission’ to enroll new voters. They will launch ‘a mass contact programme’ to share achievements and gather feedback. There will be a ‘push for closer integration between the parent party and various frontal organisations.’ Also need to ‘create a new organisational unit at panchayat level’ said the declaration.
THE BIG DAY
- Jaipur declaration highlights key areas like ‘the promise of stability and good governance’ also emphasis on core values like ‘secularism, nationalism, social justice, social cohesion and economic growth…’ keeping in mind the aad aadmi. Giving every Indian ‘a sense of security’ from ‘external and internal threats’. Also focus of the party to the ‘poor and marginalised’ which includes ‘ dalits, advisasis, OBCs, minorities and women’ also looking into the ‘empowerment of weaker sections of society’
SONIA WORKS AT CREATING A CONNECT WITH URBAN WOMEN
On the final day of the three-day Jaipur Congress conclave, party president Sonia Gandhi stressed on key areas related to youth participation and corruption, laying special emphasis to the recent Delhi gangrape incident.
Sonia Gandhi focused on ‘the issue of safety and security of women’ and in her speech and specifically said, ‘ The barbaric gangrape of a young woman in the nation’s capital has shaken the entire country.’ She said people were ‘rightly demanding answers and action. This brave woman in many ways embodied the spirit of an aspirational India. We will ensure that her death will not have been in vain.’ She said that this girl ‘is tragically a symbol of thousands of women, and children , who suffer a similar fate, whose lives are ruined or worse, and who are denied justice.’
Addressing the AICC members at the Birla Auditorium on Sunday, in the meet held after the two-day Chintan Shivir, she said that she was ‘ delighted with the active participation of so may of our younger colleagues at the Chintan Shivir. Engaging the youth more centrally in our organisation is necessary.’ Her remarks come in a day after Rahul Gandhi was appointed as the vice president of AICC, ushering a whole new era of youth leadership. Rahul’s participation in this event has been significant as he brought in a huge number of youth leaders.
Raising the key issue of corruption’ Sonia said ‘ let me reiterate corruption at levels is a deep-rooted malaise and all sections of our society are affected by it.’ She talked about the importance of Lokpal Bill and also the introduction of ‘new path-breaking legislation for redressing public grievances,for protecting whistle-blowers and for ensuring transparency in large government purchases and contracts.’
The Congress president said that during the two-day Shivir, ‘gender justice and equality’ was one of the key issues discussed. There was an emphasis on the fact that the government needs to act on this issue ensuring ‘welfare and well-being of women.’ She talked about new programmes being launched and new laws being enacted. ‘Ajeevika - the expansion and strengthening of women’s self-help groups is one of our key flagship programmes,’ she said.
The main and focal point of her speech was the ‘unspeakable atrocities on women and children’ and the need for ‘full empowerment of women.’ She said, ‘I assure you I will continue to press for a law for 30 per cent reservation for women in Parliament and assemblies.’
During her speech, she also talked about the UPA government working very well under the leadership of Manmohan Singh.
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