District Cong. chief post is position of prestige, honour, saysHooda

Addressing the Congress party’s district presidents during their ongoing 10-day training session in Kurukshetra for the second consecutive day on Monday, former Haryana Chief Minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda said it was “a position of prestige and honour” and several prominent national and State leaders had held it in the past.

Leader of the Opposition in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi is also expected to address the district presidents on Wednesday. As many as 33 district presidents are undergoing training from January 13-22 as part of the party’s efforts to strengthen itself at the grassroots level.

‘Internalise the pride’

“Many national and State leaders, such as Sir Chhotu Ram, have held this position. Chhotu Ram, Bansi Lal, Banarsi Das Gupta and others have graced this position,” Mr. Hooda said.

“Congress is not just a party, but a culture and an ideal. You must remember that the glorious history of India’s freedom struggle tells the story of the Congress’s struggle, sacrifice, and dedication. These are inseparable,” he said, adding that all those appointed as district presidents must first feel and internalise the pride of being an inheritor of the glorious legacy.

‘Event management’

Addressing a press conference, Mr. Hooda said  the BJP had “completely ruined the State’s law and order and economy”. He said the present  government was “only a government of event management” and did not have any outcomes to show. “Criminals are committing crimes  and even openly taking responsibility for them. More than 80 such gangs are active in the State, carrying out murders, robberies, dacoities, and kidnappings for ransom. The Central government’s Social Progress Index shows that Haryana is the most unsafe State in the country,” he said.