New Delhi, March 13 (IANS) The Congress Working Committee (CWC) Thursday passed a resolution here to acknowledge completion of 10 years of Sonia Gandhi as the president of the party. “Ten years ago, Sonia Gandhi responded to the collective request of the leadership and workers of the party to step in and guide the organisation at a time when the Congress was going through a turbulent phase and was confronted with daunting challenges,” the resolution says.

Sonia Gandhi completes 10 years as party president Friday.

The resolution thanked Gandhi for leading the party tirelessly, leading to the victory in the 2004 general elections and formation of the United Progressive Alliance (UPA) government.

It goes on to praise her for “refusal to accept power and instead to work for organisation…”

Italy-born Gandhi had refused to become prime minister in 2004 as the opposition parties opposed her candidature on the issue of her foreign origin.

The National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (NREGS) and the ‘revolutionary package’ to farmers- the Rs.600 billion-farm loan waiver - also find a mention in the resolution.

“Her prompt response to natural calamities and reaching out to the victims of violence and terrorism, has underscored her empathy for the suffering of the people.”

It also eulogises Sonia Gandhi for taking the “historic initiative” to commemorate the centenary of Satyagraha (path of truth and non-violence) launched by Mahatma Gandhi from South Africa in 1906.

The resolution also praises her for contributing to the United Nations Resolution for declaration of Oct 2 (Mahatma Gandhi’s birthday) as International Day of Non-Violence.