The BJP and its allies have been able to cobble up a majority in the Parliament by entering into all sorts of agreements with disparate political elements, who have nothing in common except the desire to assume power ... The Congress party is conscious of its role in maintaining a constant vigil to ensure that the BJP Government does not tamper with the basic secular, democratic and egalitarian fabric of the nation. We will discharge this responsibility under all and every circumstances and will not shirk our duty to take any action which the circumstances may necessitate to defend these basic values ...
... This is a time for self-introspection and admission of the stark realities ... We must also admit that the failure to arrive at certain alliances before the elections has also harmed the party. On the other hand, some sections of the party had also been drifting away from us and we failed to prevent this in time.
... The AICC is aware of the uphill task that faces us to rebuild our party from the grassroots upwards ... The induction of youth, womenfolk, representatives of minorities, Dalits and other disadvantaged people at various levels in the organisation is the imperative necessity ... The AICC ... gives her full authority to restructure the organisation at all levels to achieve the objective.
The BJP-led Government ... has announced with great fanfare a "National Agenda for Governance". This is not a "National Agenda for Governance", but in fact, an Agenda to secure the support of the disparate and dissimilar parties to get into the Government. This so- called "National Agenda" is the final manifestation of a series of political somersaults that the BJP indulged in, in the last one year ... The BJP, however, tried to convince them that they are prepared to dilute their agenda regarding Article 370, Uniform Civil Code, Ram Janam Bhoomi, Kashi and Mathura.
The third scene was enacted when the BJP went searching for allies ... The same kind of assurances were given to different parties regarding these contentious and divisive issues. Nevertheless the BJP in its Manifesto announced a few days before the elections ... reiterating its commitment to all these issues. The calculation obviously was that, on the one hand, they have secured allies who would give them advantage in the respective states and by reiterating its basic stand on these issues, it would retain the support of that section which had always stood behind it in its sectarian approach. The results of the 12th Lok Sabha elections came as a rude shock to the BJP when it became obvious that it cannot form the government on its own, along with the support of its allies. The "National Agenda" came about as an expedient mechanism to once again bluff the secular forces to somehow ensure a majority in the Lok Sabha. These political twists and turns have served the interests of the BJP temporarily. It must be clearly understood however, that the BJP is not the master of its own house, and ultimately it is the RSS, a fascist organisation which runs the show. It is inherent in the very nature of the political situation that exists, that this political duplicity will, at some point of time reach a flashpoint. The Congress party will have to play a decisive role at that juncture.
The AICC reiterates and puts on record the irrevocable commitment of the Congress party to the principles of secularism and democracy. The Congress party is prepared to face the challenge of all communal, divisive and authoritarian forces. The Congress party has never in the past and shall never in the future, make the compromise, under any circumstances, with these forces. The pluralistic society of India is the only guarantee of its unity and integrity. The Congress party pledges to safeguard this identity, under all circumstances, and is prepared to make any sacrifices in the cause.
The three institutions of the Government – the Executive, the Parliament and the Judiciary have well defined Constitutional powers and responsibilities to discharge ... The Congress party believes in a harmonious relationship between these institutions and it is convinced that it is only through such constructive functional relationship can the foundations of our Republic be strengthened. The party shall always work towards this end. ... The AICC calls upon all Congress men and women to work hard for the all-round development of the weaker section of society, including Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, Minorities, Backward Communities, farmers specially small and marginal farmers, etc. The Congress party is committed to ensure their rightful share and full involvement in the development of this country .. (Source: The Hindu, 7 April, 1998)
