Mandya (Karnataka), Oct 31 Karnataka Chief Minister D K Shivakumar on Saturday called on Congress workers to contribute towards the construction of Indira Bhavan according to their capacity, saying the building should become a symbol of self-respect and collective ownership for party workers.
He was speaking after laying the foundation stone for the District Congress Committee’s Indira Bhavan in front of Holalu Circle in Mandya here.
“Indira Bhavan should not remain just an office for the Congress party; it must become a symbol of self-respect for every party worker in the district,” Shivakumar said.
The CM said that just as people go door-to-door collecting donations to build a temple in a village, every worker should join hands in constructing this building by contributing according to their capacity, ranging from Rs 100 to Rs 10 lakh.
“Only then will it foster a sense of belonging—that this is our building, our property,” he said.
He called upon workers to put aside personal differences and work hard towards strengthening the party.
“With the goal of achieving victory for Congress in all seven Assembly constituencies of Mandya district, workers must organise the party in unity right from now,” he said.
Shivakumar recalled that there was a long-standing demand to build a separate office for Congress in Mandya. Though efforts were made earlier regarding the Gandhi Bhavan land, it could not be completed.
“Now, after getting land sanctioned by the government and creating a good layout design under the leadership of district in-charge Minister N Cheluvarayaswamy, the construction work has been launched,” he stated.
Shivakumar also recalled that former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi sacrificed her life for the unity, integrity, and peace of the country.
“This building being constructed in her name should serve as a power center for Congress workers. The words ‘Indira is India, India is Indira’ echo her contribution in the nation’s history,” he said.
Shivakumar also noted how Indira Gandhi made banking services reach common people through the nationalisation of banks which then helped the poor become economically self-reliant.
“When we were youth and student leaders, we were traveling by train to attend a program in Delhi. The train stopped before reaching Doddaballapura. Upon receiving the news of Indira Gandhi’s assassination, we returned to Bengaluru. Major riots had broken out across the country. The memory of that day remains etched in mind even today,” he recalled.
Expressing confidence that the Congress government will return to power in the State once again, he said that whatever political scenario is created in 2028, it is certain that Congress will come to power again with the support of the people.
“For this, workers must strive right from now. Elections for Zilla Panchayats, Taluk Panchayats, Gram Panchayats, and Urban Local Bodies will be held in the next three to four months. Everyone must prepare for these elections. Capable leaders must be nurtured at every level, and the party must be organised with unity,” he added.
Emphasising that guarantee beneficiaries are the bridge to connect party with people, Shivakumar said that directives have already been issued to MLAs and leaders to set up six-member Guarantee Committees in every Panchayat.
“The formation of these committees must be completed within the next four to five days. Committee members should stay in touch with every guarantee beneficiary, convey information about government schemes, and simultaneously support party organization,” he said.
Shivakumar said that Bharat Jodo Youth Associations are being launched with the aim of organising youth and nurturing leadership qualities among them.
“These associations will be inaugurated soon, with a target to register at least 250 members in every Panchayat,” he said, adding that the objective is to provide opportunities in various fields, including sports and cultural activities, according to the talent, interest, and passion of the youth.
Meanwhile, speaking at a programme organised at the Congress office in Bengaluru to commemorate the death anniversary of Indira Gandhi, Shivakumar said opportunities would not come knocking at people’s doors and they had to create them.
“Indira Gandhi had said that opportunities would not come looking for us at our doorsteps and that we must create opportunities ourselves. Following her guidance, all of you should go among the people, work for them and fight for their causes,” he said.
He said Congress Parliamentary Party chairperson Sonia Gandhi had written a book on Indira Gandhi’s statements, which he had got translated into Kannada.
“I will send copies of the book to the Congress office. All of you should pay Rs 50, purchase the book and read it. We could have distributed the book free of cost, but when people pay for and purchase something, it acquires value. That is why a price has been fixed for it,” he said.
(PTI News)
