Congress to hold 3-day plenary in Raipur

New Delhi: The Congress party has decided to hold its 85th plenary session in Chhattisgarh's Raipur in the second half of February next year. The decision was taken on Sunday after a meeting of the party's steering committee.

The steering committee was formed in place of the working committee, the highest decision-making body of the party, after Mallikarjun Kharge took charge as the new Congress chief in October.

The meeting held discussions on two major topics - AICC plenary session and Bharat Jodo Yatra.

A statement issued by the steering committee read, "The Committee noted the overwhelming success of the Bharat Jodo Yatra and the wide participation of lakhs of people. The Yatra listens to and speaks with people from all sections of society every day, especially youth, women, farmers and the working class, directly communicating its message of equality, fraternity and harmony.

It is the same message which India's spiritual leaders and social reformers preached, the leaders of our freedom struggle under Mahatma Gandhi fought for, and our Constitution upholds."

Furthermore, AICC general secretary KC Venugopal said, "We have decided to hold a massive campaign - From January 26 onwards - Haath Se Haath Jodo. In this campaign, a block-level Yatra covering all gram panchayats and booths will be carried out."

Congress president Kharge, former party chief Sonia Gandhi, Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot, his Chhattisgarh counterpart Bhupesh Baghel, senior leaders P Chidambaram, Anand Sharma, Meira Kumar and Ambika Soni were among those who attended the steering committee meeting at the AICC headquarters in New Delhi.