New Delhi: The Congress should use phrases like “mixed economy” and “plural society” instead of “socialism” and “secularsim” as they have acquired a peculiar connotation in India in the past five decades. This was one of the key suggestions made before the party leadership after the Congress’ successive defeats in the Lok Sabha elections it had fought under the leadership of former Prime Minister P.V. Narsimha Rao, Sitaram Kesri and Sonia Gandhi.
To most people, “socialism” means nationalism of everything while word “secularism” to a very large number of people means anti-Hinduism and solicitude for Muslim. This was debated in the Congress circles in 1999 when the party had lost three Lok Sabha elections consecutively since 1996.
However, the party has not released the report, though it is in process of framing revival strategy.
Instead, the Congress has also prepared an 11-page background paper for discussions from block to the PCC level.
But, the note prepared by the late Congress veteran V.N. Gadgil on the Congress’ revival in 1999, is still relevant even in 2015.
Suggestsing that “introspection, frank assessment and determined action,” is needed ,it says time has come to examine whether 70 per cent of the voters have voted against the Congress because they no longer approve the Congress ideology and policies.
It also says, Congress must revise its perception of the BJP.
