CWC meeting in Delhi updates: Govt mistaken if it thinks it'll escape Constitutional accountability, says Sonia

WATCH: Congress’ press conference on CWC meeting 

#BREAKING | Sonia Gandhi has been a leader & mentor for @INCIndia, she’ll continue to guide the party: @rssurjewala #RahulCoronation pic.twitter.com/yPcJvFZpyO

— News18 (@CNNnews18) November 20, 2017

Sonia Gandhi slams demonetisation move

A year later, demonetization has done nothing but rub salt on the wounds of distressed farmers, small traders, housewives and daily workers. The fortunes of a handful are being built by destroying the future of the poor and the oppressed.: Sonia Gandhi in Congress CWC

— ANI (@ANI) November 20, 2017

RPN Singh credits Rahul Gandhi for Punjab win

RPN Singh, Congress leader told News18, “We are winning Gujarat and I am convinced. No one gave Rahul credit for winning Punjab.”

There have been eight Congress presidents so far

Rahul Gandhi to be PM candidate in 2019, says RPN Singh

When News18 asked if Rahul Gandhi will Congress’ prime ministerial candidate for the 2019 General Elections, RPN Singh says “there’s no doubt about it”. He adds, “Sonia Gandhi is our mentor and will be there to guide us through.”

Read the full statement given by Congress president Sonia Gandhi at the CWC meeting

Opening Remarks of Hon’ble Congress President Smt. Sonia Gandhi at CWC Meeting (Monday, 20th November 2017)

Colleagues, 

I welcome you to this Congress Working Committee.  We have before us an important agenda.
Over the last 18 months, the election process that has concluded in all but six States has elected block presidents, an equal number of delegates, primary units and party members. This has provided an opportunity for the Party to interact with lakhs of workers across the country, starting from the booth level.  This reaffirms that the party’s roots are spread across every district of the country and that no other political party can match the plurality and diversity of the Congress Party.

The electoral process, which began in May 2016, has now come to its culmination. The schedule for the election of the Congress President will be read out by General Secretary.

On behalf of the Party, I thank the Chairman, Shri Mullapalli Ramachandran, members of the Central Election Authority and other party workers for carrying out this huge exercise with utmost diligence, integrity and impartiality.

Friends,

The Modi-government in its arrogance has cast a dark shadow on India’s Parliamentary democracy by sabotaging the Winter Session of Parliament on flimsy grounds.  The Government is mistaken if it thinks that by locking the temple of democracy, it will escape constitutional accountability ahead of the assembly elections.  Parliament is the forum in which questions should be asked – questions about corruption in high places, conflict of interest of serving ministers and dubious defense deals. Government will be obliged to answer these questions, but in order to avoid the questions and answer ahead of Gujarat elections, the government has taken the extra ordinary step of not holding a winter session when should be held. 

The Prime Minister had the audacity to have a midnight celebration in Parliament to launch an ill prepared and flawed GST but today he lacks the courage to face Parliament.

Unemployment, rising inflation, falling exports and GST are causing tremendous suffering to millions of people.  A year later, demonetization has done nothing but rub salt on the wounds of distressed farmers, small traders, housewives and daily workers.  The fortunes of a handful are being built by destroying the future of the poor and the oppressed.  Yet the Prime Minister continues with greater vigor, to make announcements, false promises, and to quote facts and figures that have nothing to do with the reality on the grounds.

The Modi government is also forcefully trying to change the history of modern India by systematically erasing  the contributions made by Pandit Nehruji and Indira Gandhi – be it through rewriting school text books, through malicious misinformation and propaganda, or ignoring with disdain the importance of the birth centenary of Indiraji.  This vilification is blatant and for all to see.

Friends, 
 

Rahul and many of you colleagues here and in Gujarat are working hard for a positive result in that State.  Let us do our best to prove that people are not fooled and that they will make the right decision and defeat the present dispensation there.

Randeep Surjewala tweets full statement of Sonia Gandhi

Opening Remarks of Congress President Smt. Sonia Gandhi at Congress Working Committee (CWC) Meeting held today pic.twitter.com/1cI0oQPVsg

— Randeep Singh Surjewala (@rssurjewala) November 20, 2017

Congress party has presence in every location across India

“India is already the largest democracy in the world. Congress Party has the presence in every state, village, taluka. In spite the area Congress has covered, they (other political parties) are years to get that experience. Other parties cannot do this. It comes from living with the country growing with the country. This is what Congress president Soniya Gandhi said,” said Randeep Surjewala

Sonia’s guidance will always be available for us

On the question whether Sonia will continue to have a say nin the party, Surjewala said, “Her guidance and leadership will always be available to Rahul and Congress workers.”

Sonia raised concerns over rising unemployment, inflation rates

Sonia Gandhi said, “Unemployment, rising inflation, falling exports and GST are causing tremendous suffering to millions of people. A year later, demonetisation has done nothing but rub salt on the wounds of distressed farmers, small traders, housewives and daily workers.”

Congress tweets election schedule 

Here is the schedule for the election of Congress President, as approved by the Congress Working Committee today. pic.twitter.com/MF43tsZYlY

— Congress (@INCIndia) November 20, 2017

Congress flags EVM concerns

“On the issue of EVM tampering, we have made it clear to the Election Commission. We had raised concern to the EC about two months ago,” Surjewala said.

We are fighting against BJP with support of 6.5 crore Gujaratis

“No concern over Gujarat election. Infact as many leaders haev said, it is a battle between 6.5 crore Gujaratis and BJP. We are encouraged by the positive reaction we are getting in Gujarat. On one hand, BJP is using moiney power, then there is people’s power. I am confident that people’s power will win,” Surjewala said.

Sonia Gandhi slammed Modi government for farmer suicides, scuttling democracy

“The way the farmers want to commit suicide, Congress will not accept this,” Congress spokesperson Randeep SSurjewala quoted Sonia Gandhi as saying in the CWC meeting.  Surjewala said that Sonia Gandhi denounced Modi government’s attempt to scuttling democracy. “Modi government wants to stay away from Winter session,” Surjewala.said. Surjewala said that Sonia thanked party leaders for their contribution.

Here are the important dates for Rahul Gandhi’s elevation

The date of notification is 1 December 

The last date of filing nomination is 4 December at 3 pm 

Scrutiny of nominations will be on 5 December 2017 

Publication of list of valid nominations: 5 December 2017 by 3.30 pm 

Last date for withdrawal: 11 December at 3pm 

Final list; 11 December 2017 by 4 pm 

The polling, if necessary, will take place on16 December 2017.

Counting of votes : 19 December 2017

Congress intra-party election need to be completed by 31 December 

The party’s organisational election has to be completed before 31 December. The Election Commission has given the party the last extension for completing the internal poll process by the end of 2017.

PTI

5 December will be crucial for Rahul

Sources told News18 that the last date of withdrawing nomination papers from the internal elections of the Congress Working Committee has been finalised for 5 December. This will be a crucial day as it would become clear only on this day that if anyone else is contesting Rahul Gandhi’s nomination for the party chief’s post.

CWC approves poll schedule 

CWC approves poll schedule for Cong President’s election, process to start with issue of notification on 1 December, PTI quoted party sources

Rahul may be made president before 11 December too

In case there is no candidate apart from Rahul Gandhi, Congress will announce his candidature on the last date of scrutiny.

— ANI (@ANI) November 20, 2017

CWC passes resolution to make Rahul Gandhi president 

Congress CWC passes resolution to make Rahul Gandhi party President. pic.twitter.com/kNaVtwOnYB

— ANI (@ANI) November 20, 2017

Last day of withdrawal of nominations on 5 December 

According to News18, the last date of withdrawal of any possible nomination will be 5th of December. If there are no opposition, then Rahul will be elected unopposed.

Rahul Gandhi is a better communicator today, but without a solution-based narrative, he ends up helping BJP

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Gandhi could have taken a leaf from his party’s experiments with soft Hindutva in Gujarat in the 2002 Assembly election in which, as reported by the Times of India, Congress had tried to counter RSS with a former RSS veteran Shankersinh Vaghela as Pradesh Congress Committee chief who led the campaign. In that election, BJP won 127 seats in a sharp contrast to 51 won by the Congress. Repeating the same mistake might mean repeating the disaster.

Rahul likely to be made Congress chief on 11 December 

According to news reports, Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi is likely to be made president on 11 December. However, if there are no other nomiantions for the post, then he may be elevated to the top post sooner too.

Congress on ventilator, says Naqvi

While the Congress party is on the ventilator, the ‘Yuvraj’ is on accelerator, Union minister Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi tells News18.

Watch: Inside view of what is happening at CWC meeting

#RahulCoronation | 1st on CNN-News18 | @_pallavighosh with inside details of the ongoing @INCIndia (Congress) Working Committee meet pic.twitter.com/1e2dorH8nV

— News18 (@CNNnews18) November 20, 2017

Trouble ahead for Rahul Gandhi in Gujarat 

Trouble is brewing in Gujarat, where Congress and Hardik Patel’s PAAS workers clashed on Sunday night, right after the Congress came out with its first list of candidates. While the Patidar leaders had asked for 10 tickets, the first Congress list had only 3 PAAS names, which led to the Patidars picking up a fight with the Congress leaders in Surat.

Nation stands with Rahul Gandhi says Congress

Speaking to Times Now, Shobha Oza said that the whole country stands with Congress. 

Nation stands with Rahul Gandhi as he raises issues concerning the problems faced by the common man today: Shobha Oza, Cong #PresidentRaGa pic.twitter.com/wL61MzGGBA

— TIMES NOW (@TimesNow) November 20, 2017

Is Congress VP getting better at game once played by Narendra Modi?

At the PHDCCI event, in front of an eclectic audience, Rahul yet again displayed what has now become his trademark mix: Biting criticism of the Modi government, smart one-liners, humility, humour and a touch of penitence. In addition, he also offered a vision of India that is slightly different from Modi’s.

Read more here

What will happen in today’s meeting?

The highest working body of the Congress party, the Congress Working Committee (CWC) starts process of the election of the party president. The Congress Working Committee is likely to announce the much-awaited election date to complete the prolonged election procedure. The CWC will approve the schedule prepared by the party’s central election authority. Once the dates are approved, the process would be over in about 10 days.

First images from inside the meeting

Delhi: Congress Working Committee (CWC) meeting underway at 10, Janpath pic.twitter.com/pBjydJoqij

— ANI (@ANI) November 20, 2017

Each election defeat proportional to Rahul’s elevation, says Jitendra Singh

On reports that Rahul Gandhi would soon be made the president of his party, Union minister Jitendra Singh said he found it strange that “each electoral defeat (for Congress) is directly proportional to the elevation of Gandhi”.

PTI

Veerappa Moily praises Rahul Gandhi

Senior Congress leader Veerappa Moily praises Rahul Gandhi for his role in Gujarat elections. “We are very happy with Rahul Gandhi’s elevation. His performance in Gujarat is outstanding," the former Union minister said.

Congress Working Committee meeting begins, reports NDTV

Rahul Gandhi likely to takeover as president before Gujarat polls

According to The Indian Express, party sources claim that Rahul might take over the reins of the Congress before 9 December, when the first phase of Gujarat polls will be held. The report quoted another Congress leader as saying that Rahul may even take charge of the party by the end of November.

Factionalism will be a major problem for Rahul

Factionalism is a major issue that Rahul Gandhi needs to tackle. According to a News18 report, state units are in disarray and the infighting would force him to constantly do the balancing act.

“In Madhya Pradesh, veterans like Kamal Nath and Digvijay Singh would not want to be sidelined but Jyotiraditya Scindia too has to be accommodated, the report added.

CWC meeting to begin shortly

Delhi: Congress Working Committee(CWC) meeting to begin shortly, leaders arrive at 10 Janpath pic.twitter.com/pHKnqYdLDd

— ANI (@ANI) November 20, 2017

NCP wanted more seats, says Ashok Gehlot 

Speaking to ANI, Gujarat Congress in-charge Ashok Gehlot said that NCP has snapped ties as it was bargaining for more seats but appalled to its oldest partner to work together to overthrow the BJP after 22 years.

Congress condemns violence by Hardik supporters 

I condemn this violence, Hardik Patel and his workers should show patience,issues can be sorted out by talking. Also,Gujarat CM should worry about the fights over ticket distribution in his party and not comment on us: Ashok Gehlot,Congress pic.twitter.com/1dUdUMvPBh

— ANI (@ANI) November 20, 2017

Here is the agenda for the CWC meeting 

#BREAKING -- Agenda for Congress meeting: Election schedule to be announced and state resolution to be moved asking for Rahul Gandhi to be made President of the party #RahulCoronation pic.twitter.com/aoxGsqfdXN

— News18 (@CNNnews18) November 20, 2017

Majeed Memon: Wanted to stop scattering of anti-BJP votes

Speaking to CNN-News18, NCP leader Majeed Memon said, “As far is Gujarat elections are concerned, we were keen to stop scattering anti-BJP votes. We were at constant touch with the Gujarat Congress unit. We thought due respect would be given to us But unfortunately that has not happened.”

Congress leaders are reaching 10 Janpath right now

NCP to go solo in Gujarat 

Various TV report report that NCP has snapped ties with the Congress before the Gujarat Assembly election. The development comes after Congress named its own candidates for traditionally NCP bastions.

Image building will be key for Rahul Gandhi

“Rahul’s success or failure will not be determined by his being a scion, but how effectively he can capture the imagination of the voting public in India. His success will also depend on who his political advisers are and how well they work with him,” image consultant Dilip Cherian told News18.

Rahul Gandhi needs to reach out to the grassroots level Congress workers

Journalist Gautam Lahiri told News18  that the task at hand is an uphill one. “I think what former president Pranab Mukherjee had said in a memorial lecture should be a lesson for the young leaders. Firstly, he has to interact with party workers and the sympathisers at regular intervals. He should institutionalize the mechanism for interactions as Indira Gandhi did with party workers as well as think tanks.”

NCP refuses to comment on Rahul Gandhi’s elevation

Talking to ANI, Senior NCP leader Praful Patel refused to comment on the likely elevation of Rahul Gandhi to the presidency of the Congress. He said that the it is an internal matter of the Congress party.

Trouble for Rahul Gandhi’s Congress campaign in Gujarat

We wanted to contest in Gujarat in alliance with Congress and had talks with them too initially, but Congress did not seem serious and kept on delaying,so we will fight alone.Confident that we will do even better alone:Praful Patel,NCP pic.twitter.com/eYBRbUrZi0

— ANI (@ANI) November 20, 2017

How will the election process take place?

Once the schedule for the election is approved by the CWC, the party’s Central Election Authority will notify the same. The election process was likely to be completed before the Gujarat Assembly polls, the first phase of which will be held on 9 December.

Rahul Gandhi’s elevation is Congress’ internal matter: JD(U) leader KC Tyagi tells Times Now

Elevation of Rahul Gandhi is an internal matter of Congress party, says KC Tyagi, JD (U) leader #PresidentRaGa pic.twitter.com/Brac5IIFpN

— TIMES NOW (@TimesNow) November 20, 2017

Meanwhile, BJP IT head takes a dig at Rahul Gandhi’s possible elevation 

Congress’s big dilemma - to elevate Rahul Gandhi before the big electoral loss in Himachal and Gujarat or after?

— Amit Malviya (@amitmalviya) November 19, 2017

Several challenges before Rahul Gandhi if he takes over as Congress president

If and when Rahul Gandhi is elevated to the post of Congress president, there are several issues he will have to address. Writing for  News18 , Sneha Mordani says Gandhi “would be saddled with the task of resurrecting the party” which has only been going downhill after 2014. “It couldn’t make a mark in any state barring Punjab. Himachal Pradesh has voted. Gujarat, the home turf of both Prime Minister Narendra Modi and BJP president Amit Shah, is anything but a cake walk,” she writes.

Rahul Gandhi new Congress president by 1 December ?

According to NDTV , as Rahul is expected to be the only candidate in the fray, the Congress is expected to have a new president by 1 December

CWC meeting was not necessary, say senior party leaders

Party leaders say though it is not necessary to convene a formal meeting of the CWC to approve the schedule of the presidential election, Sonia Gandhi has decided to get the approval of the party’s highest decision-making body.

PTI

Meeting at Sonia Gandhi’s residence 

According to PTI, the Congress Working Committee to meet at Sonia Gandhi’s residence 10 Janpath. The meeting is expected to begin at 10.30 am.

CWC meeting expected to start at 10.30 am

Dates for Congress president’s election to be announced today 

The Congress Working Committee, the party’s highest decision-making body, on Monday will declare the dates for electing the new Congress president, sa various media reports.