Will Belagavi centenary convention send unity message to Congress leaders similar to 1924 session?

Belagavi is all set to host he ‘Jai Bapu, Jai Bhim, Jai Samvidhan’ rally being organised by the Congress on Tuesday to mark the centenary of the party’s 1924 session that was chaired by Mahatma Gandhi in the border city.

Belagavi is all set to host he ‘Jai Bapu, Jai Bhim, Jai Samvidhan’ rally being organised by the Congress on Tuesday to mark the centenary of the party’s 1924 session that was chaired by Mahatma Gandhi in the border city.

On the eve of the rally, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah said that about two lakh people were expected to attend the event which will see the presence of the AICC top leaders.

The rally was earlier planned for December 27, but was rescheduled due to the death of former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh.

The 1924 session is significant in the history of the Congress and a milestone in the freedom movement. It mandated the Congress members to spin khadi, planted the idea of linguistic division of States, and consolidated the position of the Congress as a multi-pronged organisation with a social responsibility engaged in Sarvodaya. However, the most important task achieved by the session was quelling the differences between the two factions of the party - the Swarajists and No-Changers.

Mahatma Gandhi, who was considered a No-Changer, succeeded in his task. He held separate meetings with the two groups, pacified their leaders, and ensured that the two groups forgot their differences and worked for the liberation of the country.

There is an interesting similarity between the 39th session of the Indian National Congress held in Belagavi in 1924 and the ongoing Gandhi Bharat programme as the State unit of the Congress seems to be divided among groups who are seeking change in the KPCC leadership and the No-Changers. This is in addition to the apparent political tussle for the chief ministerial post.

Leaders like Satish Jarkiholi, K.N. Rajanna, M.B. Patil, and others are believed to be demanding a change in the KPCC leadership. Mr. Satish and Mr. Rajanna have openly demanded that the party needs a full-fledged president and that the one-man, one-post principle be followed. Mr. Satish has clarified, however, that he has not demanded that KPCC president D.K. Shivakumar be changed. His followers are upset that he was not fully involved in the Gandhi Bharat celebrations and that Mr. Shivakumar micro managed it. Mr. Shivakumar has denied it saying all leaders were given important responsibilities.