Congress Working Committee (CWC) members met under the chairmanship of Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on the eve of Sonia Gandhi making history today by becoming the first Congress President to complete ten years at the post, the party hailed her “dynamic and courageous” leadership, saying it revitalized the organization when it was going through a “turbulent phase”.
“We are privileged to place on record our deep gratitude for the leadership provided by her to the party. This is a historic milestone in the 122 years’ history of Congress,” senior party leader Pranab Mukherjee said reading out from the resolution.
The CWC resolution noted that 61-year-old Gandhi had responded to the collective request of the party leaders and activists to step in and guide Congress at a time when it was going through a turbulent phase and was confronted with daunting challenges.
“As the President of the AICC she worked tirelessly travelling the length and breadth of the country to lead the process of the party’s revival. Her efforts arrested the drift and despondency which had gripped the organisation in the preceding years,” it said.
The Prime Minister, supporting the resolution, noted that Gandhi has contributed immensely not just to the party but also to Indian politics and said she has established high moral values in public life.
The party leaders will visit Gandhi on Friday to congratulate her.On this eve she today has hectic schedule visiting Hyderabad Sonia Gandhi arrives in Hyderabad on Friday on a day-long visit to Andhra Pradesh during which she will inaugurate the country’s most modern international airport near Hyderabad.
Gandhi would reach Rajahmundry in East Godavari district and visit Tadipudi Pushkara irrigation project.
She will then address a public meeting at Jaggampet in the district.
The Congress President will proceed to Warangal district for a visit to the prestigious Devadula project billed as Asia’s biggest lift irrigation project.
Gandhi would arrive in Hyderabad in the afternoon and proceed to Shamshabad, about 30 kms from the city, to inaugurate the Rs 2,470 crore greefield international airport, the first to be developed under public-private partnership model.
Elaborate security arrangements have been made for Gandhi’s visit on Friday.