Latest news with #AvinashPande
Hindustan Times
a day ago
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
U.P. Cong vows to strengthen booth mgmt, guard voter list
Booth-level management will be strengthened while partymen at ground level will ensure the voter list is not manipulated ahead of the upcoming elections, Uttar Pradesh Congress leaders said on the last day of the zonal review meeting on Thursday. Committees proposed in districts under Prayag zone, including Varanasi, Ghazipur, Chandauli, Jaunpur, Bhadohi, Mirzapur, Sonbhadra, Kaushambi, Prayagraj, Pratapgarh, Amethi and Sultanpur, were reviewed in the meeting. 'Organisation will be our strength that will show the BJP the exit door in the upcoming elections,' U.P. Congress in-charge Avinash Pande said. 'The party will launch a campaign to connect with people and expose the BJP in the state,' UP Congress president Ajay Rai said. The zonal reviews started with west and Braj zones on June 15, Bundelkhand zone on June 16, Poorvanchal zone on June 17, and Prayag zone on Thursday. The organisational restructuring or 'Sangathan Srijan' will continue till August 15, after which the selected office-bearers will undergo training in different zones/districts. 'The entire process is being carried out in line with Rahul Gandhi's views on social justice. We are ensuring that every committee has fair representation from all sections, classes, and genders of society, so we can connect more effectively at the grassroots level,' Pande said. Congress Legislature Party leader Aradhana Mishra, former state general secretary Anil Yadav, former state vice-president Dinesh Singh and other leaders were present in the meeting. Party leaders also celebrated Lok Sabha leader of opposition Rahul Gandhi's birthday by distributing fruits and food at Adarsh Kusth Ashram in Ashiyana, while a cake-cutting ceremony was held at the party office. 'During the Bharat Jodo Yatra, Rahul Gandhi raised his voice for the poor, the oppressed, minorities, and backward communities. It gave people confidence in his leadership and the party,' Rai said.
Hans India
3 days ago
- Politics
- Hans India
Cong open to alliance in UP, also focused on rebuilding its base
Lucknow: Congress is in the middle of a month-long organisation-building campaign across all 75 districts in Uttar Pradesh (UP) to strengthen its grassroots presence and the party is hopeful of striking a 'respectful and suitable' alliance to take on the BJP in the 2027 assembly polls. In the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, the Congress-Samajwadi Party alliance delivered a strong performance—the Congress winning six of the 17 seats it contested and the SP bagging 37 seats—reducing the BJP's tally from 62 to 33 in UP, the most populous state in the country. Perhaps that is why Congress general secretary and Uttar Pradesh in-charge Avinash Pande told PTI that while the party is focused on rebuilding its grassroots presence across the state, it would, in all likelihood, look to enter into a 'respectable and suitable alliance' under the INDIA bloc to take on the BJP in the next round of elections.' For the moment however, Pande said, the party in the middle of 'Sangathan Srijan' (organisation building) campaign across all 75 districts in UP is also gearing up for the panchayat polls, which would be held in 2026, a year ahead of the 2027 polls. Pande who is on a seven-day tour of the state, meeting district-level leaders and workers to assess progress and energise the cadre said a 100-day programme has been launched to drive the effort, with trained professionals overseeing implementation as the Congress is eyeing the panchayat polls to increase its rural penetration in UP. In the 2022 state polls, the two parties had contested separately. While SP improved its count from 47 to 111 seats, Congress was reduced to just two. 'Talking about the alliance, the INDIA bloc is very much in existence but as you know, an alliance of the regional parties and us (Congress) as a national party came together to give a strong opposition to the BJP. So, we are strengthening our organisation and because of that we will come together as a strong alliance,' Pande told PTI. 'We are trying to build our party stronger so that in case if we have a respectable and suitable alliance at the time of elections to defeat the BJP, then we should be in a good position to give a befitting result,' he added. On the rise of regional parties like the SP and BSP and the BJP's current dominance, Pande said, 'I must tell you that regional parties came much, much later than the Congress, which was giving good governance to the people in Uttar Pradesh right from the freedom and after the formation of the state.' 'At present, we are focused on organisation rebuilding of the party in Uttar Pradesh, not just for contesting the elections alone but also doing a lot of other works which are directly related to the cause of the people and the welfare of the state.' Pande also hit out at the BJP government, accusing it of autocratic functioning and side-lining the democratic role of the opposition. 'One thing that everybody can see is that the government is biased and trying to violate the Constitution by taking autocratic decisions. You can see all the decisions are being taken by suppressing the opposition, which is not being accorded due respect,' he said. He added, 'Obviously it is the government which is responsible to carry people's liking and welfare. They should take care of people's welfare—whether it is for infrastructure, education, employment or inflation. Congress is performing its responsibility as Opposition with full ability and best intentions.' On the organisational front, the senior Congress leader said the party's 'Sangathan Srijan' campaign aims to rebuild its structure at five levels—state, district, block, mandal, and booth—following a resolution passed at the AICC plenary session. 'This is being undertaken in a phased manner under the leadership of the Uttar Pradesh Congress Committee and the guidance of the party's central leadership,' he said.
Indian Express
3 days ago
- Politics
- Indian Express
UP Congress in-charge: ‘Alliance with SP in place but we are prepared for all 403 seats … nobody should take us for granted'
Though the Uttar Pradesh Assembly elections are almost a couple of years away, all the major parties in the state are making a move for the vote of the Other Backward Classes (OBCs), with the Congress reaching out to the Most Backward Class (MBCs) communities such as Nishads, Prajapatis, Kumhars, and Rajbhars. On June 14, the Opposition party launched a one-month campaign to this end. The All India Congress Committee (AICC) general secretary in charge of UP, Avinash Pande, flagged off the 'Bhagidari Nyaya Campaign' that will include awareness campaigns in villages and urban areas, and outreach to students and the youth. The party plans to reach out to the OBC youth between July 1 and 14, timing it with the college admission period. In an interview, Pande discusses what the party wishes to achieve through this one-month initiative, its efforts to rebuild in UP, the alliance with Samajwadi Party (SP), and why the Congress is preparing for all 403 Assembly seats. The aim is to dedicate this year to rebuilding the party before moving ahead. Several experiments are taking place, with the idea to rebuild in a proper, structured manner by fixing the responsibility of each and every member. The first phase of 100 days is currently ongoing, and we are confident it will be completed by August 15. Once this process is over, we will have identified and connected with 23 lakh office bearers and workers, who will be given party posts right from the booth level and panchayats to the Assembly level. Through this exercise, we are identifying faces who can be probable candidates for the future, even at the panchayat ward, Nagar Parishad ward member level. The idea is to have a panel of names ready at all levels, who can be considered for contesting polls at different levels. Once completed, our teams will have two segments, one an elected force that will be considered for elections and another for organisational posts. There may be about 20% overlap as well. Yes, panchayat, Nagar Parishad, Nagar Palika, we have decided to contest all these elections alone. By August 15, we will be able to have a panel of potential candidates, who will not just be probable candidates but also responsible office-bearers. We are prepared for all 403 (Assembly seats). Keeping the interest of the state, its people, and party workers in mind, the Congress decides at the time of the election. But nobody should take us for granted. If the Congress does not get respect and the desire of its workers is not respected, we want to be prepared for all 403 seats. The alliance (with SP) is definitely in place. It is normally monitored and nurtured by the national leadership, and we follow their instructions. But depending on the views of the state unit, we take decisions, like in the case of the panchayat elections. However, it is our moral responsibility and duty to prepare for the 403 Assembly seats. We want to make it clear that if we are making sacrifices and leaving seats, it is only to defeat the BJP and for the welfare of the state. Since the Congress was born, its sole motto has been to work for OBCs, the most backward, Dalits, Adivasis, and minorities. Rahul Gandhi went on an all-India yatra for social justice and he is of the opinion that communities should get representation as per their number. The SP came to this later, but the OBCs have always been on the agenda of the Congress. We are working on the formula of 'paanch tatva (five elements)' while rebuilding the state unit. That is why it is taking time, and such long deliberations are going on. This means I will not give clearance to any committee unless 60% of the office-bearers and rank-holders are either Dalit, tribal, minority, OBC, or women. Along with this, we are also ensuring that 50% of the office-bearers are below 50 years. After August 15. We are working on a new format in which office-bearers will not be decided first. They will first be given tasks and their activities will be monitored. Based on their performances, they will be given posts and responsibilities.
The Print
4 days ago
- Politics
- The Print
Congress says open to alliance in UP but also focused on rebuilding its strength on ground
Perhaps that is why Congress general secretary and Uttar Pradesh in-charge Avinash Pande told PTI that while the party is focused on rebuilding its grassroots presence across the state, it would, in all likelihood, look to enter into a 'respectable and suitable alliance' under the INDIA bloc to take on the BJP in the next round of elections.' For the moment however, Pande said, the party in the middle of 'Sangathan Srijan' (organisation building) campaign across all 75 districts in UP is also gearing up for the panchayat polls, which would be held in 2026, a year ahead of the 2027 polls. In the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, the Congress-Samajwadi Party alliance delivered a strong performance—the Congress winning six of the 17 seats it contested and the SP bagging 37 seats—reducing the BJP's tally from 62 to 33 in UP, the most populous state in the country. Lucknow, Jun 17 (PTI) Congress is in the middle of a month-long organisation-building campaign across all 75 districts in Uttar Pradesh (UP) to strengthen its grassroots presence and the party is hopeful of striking a 'respectful and suitable' alliance to take on the BJP in the 2027 assembly polls. Pande who is on a seven-day tour of the state, meeting district-level leaders and workers to assess progress and energise the cadre said a 100-day programme has been launched to drive the effort, with trained professionals overseeing implementation as the Congress is eyeing the panchayat polls to increase its rural penetration in UP. In the 2022 state polls, the two parties had contested separately. While SP improved its count from 47 to 111 seats, Congress was reduced to just two. 'Talking about the alliance, the INDIA bloc is very much in existence but as you know, an alliance of the regional parties and us (Congress) as a national party came together to give a strong opposition to the BJP. So, we are strengthening our organisation and because of that we will come together as a strong alliance,' Pande told PTI. 'We are trying to build our party stronger so that in case if we have a respectable and suitable alliance at the time of elections to defeat the BJP, then we should be in a good position to give a befitting result,' he added. On the rise of regional parties like the SP and BSP and the BJP's current dominance, Pande said, 'I must tell you that regional parties came much, much later than the Congress, which was giving good governance to the people in Uttar Pradesh right from the freedom and after the formation of the state.' 'At present, we are focused on organisation rebuilding of the party in Uttar Pradesh, not just for contesting the elections alone but also doing a lot of other works which are directly related to the cause of the people and the welfare of the state.' Pande also hit out at the BJP government, accusing it of autocratic functioning and side-lining the democratic role of the opposition. 'One thing that everybody can see is that the government is biased and trying to violate the Constitution by taking autocratic decisions. You can see all the decisions are being taken by suppressing the opposition, which is not being accorded due respect,' he said. He added, 'Obviously it is the government which is responsible to carry people's liking and welfare. They should take care of people's welfare—whether it is for infrastructure, education, employment or inflation. Congress is performing its responsibility as Opposition with full ability and best intentions.' On the organisational front, the senior Congress leader said the party's 'Sangathan Srijan' campaign aims to rebuild its structure at five levels—state, district, block, mandal, and booth—following a resolution passed at the AICC plenary session. 'This is being undertaken in a phased manner under the leadership of the Uttar Pradesh Congress Committee and the guidance of the party's central leadership,' he said. On Congress' relevance in UP today, Pande said, 'I must tell you that Congress is the country's oldest party which played a role in the freedom struggle. It has always been very relevant and ideologically very close to the psyche of the common Indian,' he added. 'The Congress in UP is trying to restructure itself from the state level to the booth level,' he added. 'There is a visible sense of enthusiasm among the party workers, and I am confident Congress will perform well in the 2026 panchayat elections, the 2027 assembly elections, and the 2029 general elections. We aim to regain public trust and serve the people of Uttar Pradesh in line with their expectations,' he said. PTI KIS MAN SKY SKY This report is auto-generated from PTI news service. ThePrint holds no responsibility for its content.
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Business Standard
4 days ago
- Politics
- Business Standard
Open to alliance in UP but focused on rebuilding strength on ground: Cong
In the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, the Congress-Samajwadi Party alliance delivered a strong performancethe Congress winning six of the 17 seats it contested and the SP bagging 37 seats Press Trust of India Lucknow Congress is in the middle of a month-long organisation-building campaign across all 75 districts in Uttar Pradesh (UP) to strengthen its grassroots presence and the party is hopeful of striking a respectful and suitable alliance to take on the BJP in the 2027 assembly polls. In the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, the Congress-Samajwadi Party alliance delivered a strong performancethe Congress winning six of the 17 seats it contested and the SP bagging 37 seats reducing the BJP's tally from 62 to 33 in UP, the most populous state in the country. Perhaps that is why Congress general secretary and Uttar Pradesh in-charge Avinash Pande told PTI that while the party is focused on rebuilding its grassroots presence across the state, it would, in all likelihood, look to enter into a respectable and suitable alliance under the INDIA bloc to take on the BJP in the next round of elections. For the moment however, Pande said, the party in the middle of "Sangathan Srijan" (organisation building) campaign across all 75 districts in UP is also gearing up for the panchayat polls, which would be held in 2026, a year ahead of the 2027 polls. Pande who is on a seven-day tour of the state, meeting district-level leaders and workers to assess progress and energise the cadre said a 100-day programme has been launched to drive the effort, with trained professionals overseeing implementation as the Congress is eyeing the panchayat polls to increase its rural penetration in UP. In the 2022 state polls, the two parties had contested separately. While SP improved its count from 47 to 111 seats, Congress was reduced to just two. "Talking about the alliance, the INDIA bloc is very much in existence but as you know, an alliance of the regional parties and us (Congress) as a national party came together to give a strong opposition to the BJP. So, we are strengthening our organisation and because of that we will come together as a strong alliance," Pande told PTI. "We are trying to build our party stronger so that in case if we have a respectable and suitable alliance at the time of elections to defeat the BJP, then we should be in a good position to give a befitting result," he added. On the rise of regional parties like the SP and BSP and the BJP's current dominance, Pande said, I must tell you that regional parties came much, much later than the Congress, which was giving good governance to the people in Uttar Pradesh right from the freedom and after the formation of the state." "At present, we are focused on organisation rebuilding of the party in Uttar Pradesh, not just for contesting the elections alone but also doing a lot of other works which are directly related to the cause of the people and the welfare of the state." Pande also hit out at the BJP government, accusing it of autocratic functioning and side-lining the democratic role of the opposition. One thing that everybody can see is that the government is biased and trying to violate the Constitution by taking autocratic decisions. You can see all the decisions are being taken by suppressing the opposition, which is not being accorded due respect, he said. He added, Obviously it is the government which is responsible to carry people's liking and welfare. They should take care of people's welfarewhether it is for infrastructure, education, employment or inflation. Congress is performing its responsibility as Opposition with full ability and best intentions. On the organisational front, the senior Congress leader said the party's "Sangathan Srijan" campaign aims to rebuild its structure at five levelsstate, district, block, mandal, and boothfollowing a resolution passed at the AICC plenary session. This is being undertaken in a phased manner under the leadership of the Uttar Pradesh Congress Committee and the guidance of the party's central leadership, he said. On Congress' relevance in UP today, Pande said, I must tell you that Congress is the country's oldest party which played a role in the freedom struggle. It has always been very relevant and ideologically very close to the psyche of the common Indian, he added. The Congress in UP is trying to restructure itself from the state level to the booth level, he added. There is a visible sense of enthusiasm among the party workers, and I am confident Congress will perform well in the 2026 panchayat elections, the 2027 assembly elections, and the 2029 general elections. We aim to regain public trust and serve the people of Uttar Pradesh in line with their expectations, he said. (Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
