Congress soul of nation and Congress-mukt Bharat will remain a dream: Revanth Reddy

Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy said that the Congress and the nation cannot be separated, asserting that ‘the soul of the country is the Congress’, and it was the responsibility of the Congress workers to ensure the Congress flag flies high.

Targeting the BJP, he said that parties which were born by using the freedom and the Constitution provided by the Congress were now calling for a ‘Congress-mukt Bharat’.

He was addressing the inaugural session of the District Congress Committee (DCC) presidents’ training programme, organised by the All India Congress Committee (AICC).

Making it clear that only hardwork will pay and not recommendations and proximity to big leaders, he cautioned the DCC presidents to work to strengthen the party and the rewards will follow. “Take everyone along as the post is a responsibility and not a position,” he said.

He mentioned his example of how he was made the PCC chief and he sought support of all the seniors personally. The collective effort helped the Congress rise from just 2.5% vote share to 40% and form the government.

“Even as an aspiring leader and initially as a MLC, I caught the attention of then CM YS Rajashekhar Reddy for hardwork. You get respect only due to sincere work,” he told them. He reminded that those who worked effectively as DCC presidents were given opportunities as MLAs, while leaders active in party-affiliated organisations were appointed to corporation posts. “There is no quota in the Congress except merit quota,” he added.

‘Sacrifices can’t be forgotten’

Recalling the sacrifices of national leaders, the Chief Minister said Mahatma Gandhi and Jawaharlal Nehru went to jail for the country, while Indira Gandhi and Rajiv Gandhi laid down their lives for the nation.

Mr. Revanth Reddy said Sonia Gandhi sacrificed everything to realise the ideals of Rajiv Gandhi and stood firmly with the Congress. Despite having a legacy of sacrifice and the opportunity to attain power without struggle, Rahul Gandhi undertook a 4,000-km padayatra to understand people’s problems, he added.

The Chief Minister alleged that the BJP was conspiring against the Congress and the Gandhi family by preventing Rahul Gandhi from speaking in Parliament and by foisting cases against Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi to politically eliminate them. “Does a family that has sacrificed three leaders for the nation need money?” he asked.