Belagavi is set to be the center of attention as the Congress Working Committee (CWC) meeting and a major public rally are scheduled for December 26 and 27. The events will mark the centenary of Mahatma Gandhi’s presiding over the 39th session of the Indian National Congress in 1924.
On Saturday, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar, along with cabinet colleagues and Congress leaders, discussed the upcoming events. Shivakumar emphasized the importance of the CWC meeting on December 26, which will help shape the party’s future direction. He also spoke about the significance of the public rally the following day, stating that it would showcase the strength and unity of the Congress party.
The CWC meeting, set for 3 PM on December 26, will see participation from party leaders, including CWC members, PCC presidents, AICC general secretaries, national office-bearers, and approximately 150 MPs. A grand public rally will be held at the CPeD Grounds on Club Road, Belagavi, following the meeting, on December 27. Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge and feature speeches from national leaders will chair the rally.
In addition, a Mahatma Gandhi statue will be unveiled at the Suvarna Vidhana Soudha by Kharge and senior leader Rahul Gandhi. Due to security measures, access to this event will be restricted to MLAs, MPs, and guests only. Shivakumar also mentioned that leaders from various political affiliations, including the Speaker of the Assembly and the Chairman of the Council, are expected to attend. “This is an event that transcends politics, aiming to honor Gandhi’s legacy,” he said.
Congress is also expected to address key issues during these events, including the protection of the Constitution and the legacy of Dr. B.R. Ambedkar. Party sources indicate that a resolution criticizing Union Home Minister Amit Shah’s recent comments about Ambedkar is likely to be passed. The resolution will also express Congress’s commitment to Ambedkar’s vision, especially in light of the BJP’s alleged attempts to change the Constitution.
The Congress plans to highlight Gandhi’s efforts to eradicate untouchability, a resolution passed in the 1924 session, and use this occasion to emphasize their ongoing commitment to social justice.
As Belagavi prepares for these landmark events, the significance of hosting the centenary celebrations in the city, where Gandhi presided over the historic 39th session in 1924, is not lost on the Congress. The upcoming gatherings are seen as a defining moment for the party’s future and its dedication to preserving India’s constitutional values.
