In the Hindi
heartland, Congress must engage with Hindu festivals and rituals, said the
grand old party’s leaders from northern India, but those from the south, where
the party still holds some sway, vehemently disagreed. On engaging with
Hindutva, a set of Congress leaders sought proximity with the Arya Samaj, while
others focussed on standing by minorities. These and other debates formed the
crux of the Congress’ three-day ‘Chintan Shivir’ in Rajasthan’s Udaipur.

For the Congress, now
a weary, fractured organisation, the ‘Chintan Shivir’ was a way to announce to
the country that the party isn’t over. Since 2014, when the Narendra Modi-led
BJP government came to power, the Congress has looked at various strategies to
build a solid opposition, with the exception of taking a re-look at its
leadership, despite voices from within the party, vying for change.

Also Read | Cong decides on key reforms to put house in order

The Udaipur ‘Chintan
Shivir’ also avoided such a re-look. Rahul Gandhi, the man who has led Congress
to defeat after defeat, is likely to return at the helm of the party after a
brief hiatus when his mother, Sonia Gandhi, held charge, according to a report
in The Indian Express.

At the ‘Chintan
Shivir,’ Congress debated the best possible way to counter Hindutva – the stated
political ideology of the BJP – but came to no strict framework. While there is
wide consensus within the party that the Congress needs to stand with
minorities against communal onslaught, the way to bring religious Hindus back
into the fold in the current divisive atmosphere remains a challenge for the
party.

Also Read | Cong announces major organisational reforms 

Chhattisgarh Chief
Minister Bhupesh Baghel had the idea that Congress should celebrate Hindu
rituals and festivals and establish a connection with religious groups.
However, Congress leaders from southern India maintained that that shouldn’t be
the case. After a heated debate, the Congress decided the party will maintain
links with all socio-cultural organisations, including trade unions, NGOs,
think tanks and civil society groups, with ‘religion’ in square brackets.

The other major
decision at the ‘Chintan Shivir’ was on Dalit Bahujan representation within the
party. The party has decided to reach out to scheduled caste, scheduled tribe
and OBC communities and minority groups. However, the critical decision to
decide on a representation quota for the groups could not be decided.

The other major
takeaway, and perhaps, the only solid decision at the conclave was a big push
to bring young leaders into decision-making positions of the party. The party
has decided to bring in leaders under 50 at all levels of organisation.