Mallikarjun Kharge : Congress is an ideology, and ideologies never die

Addressing party leaders and workers at the party headquarters in Indira Bhawan, Kharge said that it was because of the great leaders of Congress that India became the world's largest democracy.

He said, “Today, on the Foundation Day (Sunday), I want to clearly say one thing to those people who claim that ‘Congress is finished’. I want to tell them that our strength may have diminished, but our morale is still high. We have not compromised with anyone—neither with the Constitution, nor with secularism, nor with the rights of the poor. Even if we are not in power, we will not compromise.”

Kharge stated that Congress has never sought votes in the name of religion and emphatically added that the party has never spread hatred in the name of temple-mosque.

He said, “Congress unites, (while) the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) divides. Congress has kept religion limited only to faith, but some people have dragged religion into politics. Today, the BJP is in power, but it lacks truth. That is why sometimes figures are hidden, sometimes the census is stopped, and sometimes talks of changing the Constitution arise.”

The Congress president said that those who are giving speeches on history today—their ancestors were running away from history.

He emphatically stated, “Congress is an ideology, and ideologies never die.”

Kharge also said that the year 2025 is the centenary of Mahatma Gandhi becoming the Congress president, the 75th anniversary of the adoption of the Constitution, and the 150th anniversary of Vande Mataram.

The Congress president noted that around the time of India's independence, many countries gained freedom, some of which failed, while others came under dictatorship.

He claimed, “Only India is the country where democracy is vibrant. It is because of the great leaders of Congress that India became the world's largest democracy.”

Kharge said that Congress has always worked for the welfare, empowerment, and inclusive development of the people of India.

 He said, “We firmly believe in equal opportunities in the political, economic, and social rights granted by the Indian Constitution.”

Extending wishes to all Indians on the Congress Foundation Day, he said, “The 140-year glorious history of the Indian National Congress narrates the great saga of truth, non-violence, sacrifice, struggle, and patriotism.”

At the event organized on the occasion of the 140th Foundation Day of Congress, many party leaders were present, including former president Sonia Gandhi, Rahul Gandhi, K.C. Venugopal, and Ajay Maken.