Promises to hold a caste census at the national level and set up a ministry for BCs are, at one level, an olive branch to the backward communities; at another, the strategy is to create a common ground and craft a wider electoral alliance to challenge the supremacy of the BJP. Promises from the plenum were also to draft law to protect SC-ST student rights even as the fact is that the fate of India’s disadvantaged/depressed multitudes could change only marginally in the long 75 years of Independent India ruled for most part by this party. Another attempt was to woo the farming community with a promise to write off agricultural loans upto Rs 6 lakh and set up a farm debt relief commission as also offer support price to all farm produce. Another promise is to strengthen the anti-defection law.
A huge rally or the passing of several resolutions or amendments to the party’s constitution or the promises of big actions if the party is elected back to power at the Centre were all on expected lines. Yet, by doing so, the Congress is duty-bound to implement its promises on farm sector etc in states where its governments are functional. To that extent, several decisions may have their strengths. A dampener at the plenum was the decision at the outset to avoid polls to the CWC; meaning the party chief will be hand-held by the family to decide on the names. The buck would stop there.