The 85th Plenary Session of the Indian National Congress at Raipur will be held from February 24 to 26, 2023. It will be three-days’ session. In this section, we are reproducing some of the important documents and information about the past sessions, which were held between 1885 to 2018.

The biggest challenge is that how can we successfully deal with the crisis that has arisen for the democratic values in front of the country today: Smt. Sonia Gandhi

Smt. Sonia Gandhi, Chairperson of the Congress Parliamentary Party, addressed the Congress Leaders and Party Workers on the occasion of Presentation of Certificate Ceremony to the newly elected Congress President at AICC Hdqrs. on October 26, 2022.

Newly elected Congress President Shri Mallikarjun Kharge ji, Members of the Congress Working Committee, State Congress Presidents, Leaders of Congress Legislature Parties, President of Election Authority Madhusudan Mistry ji, all senior party leaders, sisters and brothers present here!

First of all, I extend my heartfelt congratulations to our new Party President Kharge ji. I respect the sentiments expressed about me just now and express my gratitude to all of you. I am very happy. To be honest, I feel relieved. The greatest satisfaction is that that the one that you have chosen at your discretion is an experienced leader, a leader connected to the earth. He has reached such a great height working as a simple worker, with his dedication, with his hard work, and with his devotion.

I am sure that the entire party will draw inspiration, get a message from him and the Congress will continue to be strengthened under his leadership. I just said that I am feeling relieved. I want to make it clear that there is relief because the love and respect you have showered on me for so many years is such a matter of pride for me that I will feel it till the last breath of my life. But this honor came with a huge responsibility. I did as much as I could according to my capability and ability.

Today, I will be relieved of this responsibility. This burden will be taken off my head, so naturally I feel relieved. I also thank all of you from the core of my heart for you have always given me your cooperation and support.

Now this responsibility has come on Kharge ji. Change is the rule of nature. This change has been happening in every sphere of life and will continue to happen, just as new challenges keep coming in every sphere of life. There are many challenges before our Party today. The biggest challenge is that how can we successfully deal with the crisis that has arisen for the democratic values in front of the country today? Just as you have democratically elected your new President in the election of Congress President, I am sure that in the same way all the workers and leaders of the Party will come together to become a force that can successfully face the problems faced by our great country.

The Congress did faced a lot of crises in the past but the Congress Party never gave up. We still have to move forward with full determination, with full strength, with complete unity and emerge successful.

Today on this special occasion, I just wanted to say a few words. In the end, I once again thank everyone for your continued cooperation and on this occasion, I also especially thank Mistry ji, the Chairman of the Party’s election authority, that he and his colleagues conducted these party elections most efficiently. I conclude by welcoming Mallikarjun Kharge ji as the new President. Thank you! Jai Hind!