Rajiv Nagar, January 23
Listing out the various challenges ahead, Congress President Sonia Gandhi today enumerated the tasks which she expected the workers to undertake to revive the party and improve its image, particularly in North India.

Delivering the presidential speech at the 82nd AICC plenary session here, Ms Gandhi focused on the need for greater interaction between the party and government, exhorted workers to launch a tireless struggle for the party’s revival in the northern belt, sought the elimination of muscle and money power from the polity and promised stern action against those who use their political office for personal gain.

As she has done on earlier occasions, Ms Gandhi pointed out that though workers were the real foundation of a party, they often felt ignored once it came to power. Underlining the need for greater coordination between the party and government, she said it should not be forgotten that people give their mandate to a party and that the government derives its strength from the party.

Voicing her concern over the party’s near absence from several key states in the northern belt, Ms Gandhi said there was no magic wand for the revival of the Congress in such states, stating that the workers have also to realise their responsibility in this regard and urged them to work tirelessly among the people.

Ms Gandhi’s one-hour agenda-setting speech also took note of the disquiet in the party over the tendency of the Left parties to grab all credit for the UPA government’s programmes.