Fri Jan 10 10:48:28 UTC 2025: ## Congress Launches Campaign to Defend Constitution, Strengthen Party

**Belagavi, Karnataka –** The Congress party held a high-level meeting in Belagavi on December 26th, marking the centenary of Mahatma Gandhi’s presidency at the Indian National Congress’s 39th session. The meeting resulted in a plan to launch a nationwide campaign focused on defending the Indian Constitution and strengthening the party’s organizational structure.

The party, now the principal opposition in Parliament, aims to build on its recent Lok Sabha gains. Leaders expressed concerns about the ruling BJP coalition’s alleged erosion of constitutional principles and social welfare policies. The campaign will highlight several key issues, including:

* **Threats to the Constitution:** The Congress will focus on what it views as attacks on the Constitution and a lack of respect for Dr. B.R. Ambedkar’s legacy.
* **Economic and Social Policies:** The party will criticize the government’s handling of the economy, including concerns over the Minimum Support Price (MSP) for farmers, the dilution of MNREGA funding, and the promotion of oligarchies.
* **Political and Electoral Matters:** The campaign will oppose the “One Nation, One Election” plan, amendments to Election Commission rules, and alleged denial of political space to the opposition.
* **Foreign Policy:** The Congress will demand clarity on India’s relationship with China.
* **Social Justice:** The party will advocate for a caste census and highlight concerns about recent attacks on minorities in Bangladesh.

While the Congress acknowledges its recent setbacks in state assembly elections, the party’s resolution did not address these losses. Analysts point out that the party needs to conduct thorough introspection and assess whether its chosen campaign issues resonate effectively with the electorate, particularly marginalized communities. While previous setbacks led to internal reviews and policy adjustments, critics argue that the Congress has yet to adequately address perceptions of favoring minorities. The party, therefore, faces the challenge of translating its concerns into a compelling narrative for the Indian public.

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