New Delhi: Congress President Sonia Gandhi on Monday said that lack of discipline and unity were among the reasons for the party's disappointing performance in the recently held Assembly polls and asked partymen to be ready for the battle ahead in 2014 general elections.
"It is obvious that we have not been able to convince the people of our policies, programmes and achievements. We have not, it seems, been able to fulfil their aspirations," said Sonia Gandhi while addressing the Congress Parliamentary Party (CPP) meeting in New Delhi. She admitted lack of a sense of discipline and unity among the reasons for the party's defeat in Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Delhi and Rajasthan.
"We should not lose heart. There is another battle ahead of us, in May 2014 for which we must ready ourselves. The Congress party has won and lost many elections. In victory or defeat, we must remember that it is our solemn duty to serve people to the best of our ability," said Sonia Gandhi and added, “The Congress party has won and lost many elections. In victory or defeat, we must remember that it is our solemn duty to serve the people to the best of our ability. Adversity always tests us and it is at such times that it is most important to reaffirm our unswerving allegiance to the principles of democracy, secularism, liberalism and inclusiveness. These are the abiding values of our Party”.
The Congress President also hit out at the Opposition and asked partymen to strongly speak against their ideology. "Our opponents advocate policies of divisiveness and sectarian interests. They mock our secular ethos. Their ideology is illiberal and will prevent the continuing modernisation and emancipation of our country and our people. We must not be afraid to speak for our ideals. We must not be afraid to speak against those, who offer only a narrow and destructive alternative," Sonia Gandhi said.
While congratulating Congress victory in Mizoram, the party President said, “They have not brought cheer to us. The sole exception was Mizoram. Thanks to the leadership of Shri Lal Thanhawla, the Congress scored a resounding victory. It was a vote against militancy and separatism. It was a vote for harmony and integration. On your behalf and on my own, I congratulate him and his colleagues for this achievement”.
Underlining that that Congress remains a unique political party in many ways, Sonia Gandhi said, "Let us go from here mindful of the challenges ahead but also mindful of the fact that no odds are insurmountable for a party such as ours, for a party with our legacy, with our history and with our track record of achievement."
“Friends, in its long and distinguished history of 128 years, our mighty organization has always risen to the occasion. The Congress remains a unique political party in many ways. The Congress way remains the only way in a country like ours defined by diversities. We have our task cut out for ourselves over the next few months,” commented the Congress President while concluding her address.
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