New Delhi: Congress President Sonia Gandhi on Monday said that lack of discipline and unity were among the reasons for the party's disappointing performance in the recently held Assembly polls and asked partymen to be ready for the battle ahead in 2014 general elections. "It is obvious that we have not been able to convince the people of our policies, programmes and achievements. We have not, it seems, been able to fulfil their aspirations," said Sonia Gandhi while addressing the Congress Parliamentary Party (CPP) meeting in New Delhi. She admitted lack of a sense of discipline and unity among the reasons for the party's defeat in Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Delhi and Rajasthan.

1. Camp: New Delhi:
Date: 18th December, 2013
Time: 11 AM
Sonia Gandhi to Congressmen: We should not lose heart. There is another battle ahead of us
New Delhi: Congress President Sonia Gandhi on Monday said that lack of discipline and unity were among the reasons for the
party's disappointing performance in the recently held Assembly polls and asked partymen to be ready for the battle ahead in
2014 general elections.
"It is obvious that we have not been able to convince the people of our policies, programmes and achievements. We have not, it
seems, been able to fulfil their aspirations," said Sonia Gandhi while addressing the Congress Parliamentary Party (CPP) meeting
in New Delhi. She admitted lack of a sense of discipline and unity among the reasons for the party's defeat in Madhya Pradesh,
Chhattisgarh, Delhi and Rajasthan.
"We should not lose heart. There is another battle ahead of us, in May 2014 for which we must ready ourselves. The Congress
party has won and lost many elections. In victory or defeat, we must remember that it is our solemn duty to serve people to the
best of our ability," said Sonia Gandhi and added, “The Congress party has won and lost many elections. In victory or defeat, we
must remember that it is our solemn duty to serve the people to the best of our ability. Adversity always tests us and it is at such
times that it is most important to reaffirm our unswerving allegiance to the principles of democracy, secularism, liberalism and
inclusiveness. These are the abiding values of our Party”.
The Congress President also hit out at the Opposition and asked partymen to strongly speak against their ideology. "Our
opponents advocate policies of divisiveness and sectarian interests. They mock our secular ethos. Their ideology is illiberal and
will prevent the continuing modernisation and emancipation of our country and our people. We must not be afraid to speak for
our ideals. We must not be afraid to speak against those, who offer only a narrow and destructive alternative," Sonia Gandhi
said.
While congratulating Congress victory in Mizoram, the party President said, “They have not brought cheer to us. The sole
exception was Mizoram. Thanks to the leadership of Shri Lal Thanhawla, the Congress scored a resounding victory. It was a vote
against militancy and separatism. It was a vote for harmony and integration. On your behalf and on my own, I congratulate him
and his colleagues for this achievement”.
Underlining that that Congress remains a unique political party in many ways, Sonia Gandhi said, "Let us go from here mindful of
the challenges ahead but also mindful of the fact that no odds are insurmountable for a party such as ours, for a party with our
legacy, with our history and with our track record of achievement."

2. “Friends, in its long and distinguished history of 128 years, our mighty organization has always risen to the occasion. The
Congress remains a unique political party in many ways. The Congress way remains the only way in a country like ours defined
by diversities. We have our task cut out for ourselves over the next few months,” commented the Congress President while
concluding her address.
Full text of the speech of Congress President Sonia Gandhi at CPP meeting in New Delhi
We are meeting in trying and challenging circumstances. The results of the recent Assembly elections have been deeply
disappointing.
They have not brought cheer to us. The sole exception was Mizoram. Thanks to the leadership of Shri Lal Thanhawla, the
Congress scored a resounding victory. It was a vote against militancy and separatism. It was a vote for harmony and integration.
On your behalf and on my own, I congratulate him and his colleagues for this achievement.
In Rajasthan and Delhi, despite the all-round development during Congress rule, we have lost. We accept the verdict of the
people. We are going into the causes for the defeat. There are many, but it is obvious that we have not been able to convince
the people of our polities, programmes and achievements. We have not, it seems, been able to fulfill their aspirations.
In Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh, despite a spirited campaign, we failed to dislodge the incumbent Governments. In
Chhattisgarh we came fairly close to doing so and had we shown greater unity of purpose, we might have succeeded. Similarly in
Delhi and Rajasthan, apart from a number of other factors including dissatisfaction of some sections of the people with our
governments, we lacked a sense of discipline and unity.
Here I would like to place on record my sincere thanks to all our workers for their commitment and hard work. While the
election results are disappointing, we should not lose heart. There is another battle ahead of us, in May 2014 for which we must
ready ourselves.
The Congress party has won and lost many elections. In victory or defeat, we must remember that it is our solemn duty to serve
the people to the best of our ability. Adversity always tests us and it is at such times that it is most important to reaffirm our
unswerving allegiance to the principles of democracy, secularism, liberalism and inclusiveness. These are the abiding values of
our Party.
We must not allow ourselves to be diverted from our course. Our opponents advocate policies of divisiveness and sectarian
interests. They mock our secular ethos. Their ideology is illiberal and will prevent the continuing modernization and
emancipation of our country and our people. We must not be afraid to speak for our ideals. We must not be afraid to speak
against those who offer only a narrow and destructive alternative.

3. Friends, we can take pride in the fact that in spite of very frequent disruptions we have been able to get landmark legislation
passed in Parliament like the National Food Security Act, 2013, the Right to Fair Compensation and Transparency in Land
Acquisition, Resettlement and Rehabilitation Act, 2013 and the Prohibition of Employment as Manual Scavengers and their
Rehabilitation Act, 2013. Yesterday, the Rajya Sabha passed the historic Lokpal Bill and I fervently hope that it will be approved
by the Lok Sabha today. This law is a watershed in our fight against corruption, which we began with the historic RTI in 2005.
These are only some of our significant legislative achievements, made all the more noteworthy because Parliament was not
allowed to function most of the time. The Opposition spent much time and energy in making vituperative and completely
baseless personal attacks on all of us including the Prime Minister.
I am glad that the Cabinet has just approved the Communal Violence Bill. Personally I am unhappy we have not been able to get
the women’s reservation Bill passed in the Lok Sabha for want of consensus. But I know this will happen sooner rather than
later. We can have the satisfaction of knowing that we got it approved in the Rajya Sabha.
Friends, in its long and distinguished history of 128 years, our mighty organization has always risen to the occasion. The Congress
remains a unique political party in many ways. The Congress way remains the only way in a country like ours defined by
diversities. We have our task cut out for ourselves over the next few months.
Let us all go from here mindful of the challenges ahead but also mindful of the fact that no odds are insurmountable for a Party
such as ours, for a Party with our legacy, with our history and with our track record of achievement.
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