In preparation for the upcoming Lok Sabha elections, the Congress is set to organise a massive rally in Nagpur to celebrate its foundation day, anticipating a crowd of 10 lakh. Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge, along with Sonia, Rahul Gandhi, Priyanka Gandhi, and other top leaders, are expected to be present at the event.
Interestingly, the grand old party is also leading the Opposition alliance called INDIA, and in this regard, the party has formed a committee to coordinate seat negotiations in crucial States such as Bihar, West Bengal, Punjab, Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, and Tamil Nadu. In Maharashtra, the Congress is an ally of Uddhav Thackeray-led Shiv Sena and Sharad Pawar-led NCP. The coalition previously governed the state until a rebellion in Shiv Sena and NCP led to the formation of a BJP coalition government.
The Maharashtra Congress has been assigned the task of organising the rally at the Dighori Naka area near Nagpur, expecting a turnout of more than one lakh workers. Interestingly, the party has named the venue “Bharat Jodo Maidan,” where workers and leaders will be heard chanting the slogan “Hain Taiyaar Hum”. Congress general secretary KC Venugopal announced the rally, stating that more than 10 lakh party workers from across the country are expected to attend. He also chaired a meeting with leaders of the Maharashtra Congress in Nagpur.
“Through this rally, we aim to convey a resounding message to every Indian that the current state of affairs will not be allowed to persist, and the Congress is committed to charting a new course for India’s progress,” said Venugopal.
He added that the entire country is “suffering” due to issues such as unemployment, rising prices, hatred, and “the erosion of India’s democratic institutions.”
During a media briefing in Nagpur, Maharashtra Congress president Nana Patole remarked, “In December 1920, Mahatma Gandhi initiated the non-cooperation movement against the tyrannical British rule in Nagpur. Eventually, the British had to leave India in 1947. Nagpur has been a central hub for various movements and revolutions in the country. In 1959, Indira Gandhi was declared the national president in Nagpur itself. Celebrating the 138th Foundation Day of Congress in Nagpur, with such a historical background, is a matter of pride for the state unit of the Congress.”
Patole emphasised that democracy and the Constitution are currently being “undermined.” “The BJP government has established an autocratic system in the country. Issues like inflation, unemployment, and the challenges faced by farmers and laborers have become severe.”
“It is the Congress’ responsibility to dismantle this tyrannical system created by the BJP government and work towards creating a corruption-free and tyranny-free India. To safeguard democracy and the Constitution, the party has coined slogans like ‘Hain Taiyaar Hum.’”
In an effort to mobilise people and funds, the party recently launched a crowdfunding initiative, where donors can contribute Rs 138 or multiples thereof to commemorate the grand old party’s 138th foundation day.
All the top leaders have made contributions, and as of December 25, the party has secured donations worth Rs 5.35 crores within a week. Congress Treasurer Ajay Maken announced that the party collected Rs 5.35 crores a week after the campaign was initiated by Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge. “On the first day of the campaign, the party collected a whopping Rs 1.45 crore. By 7:30 pm on December 25, Rs 5.35 crore was realised under the ‘Donate For Desh’ initiative. In the crowdfunding campaign, two lakh people joined within just one week,” Maken shared on social media.
Sources in the Congress also claimed that its donation website faced 20,400 cyber attacks attempting to steal data or slow the site down during the initial couple of days.
