Congress Marks 140 Years: A Celebration of Sacrifice, Legacy, and Unity

The Indian National Congress celebrated its 140th foundation day at Rajiv Bhawan in Shimla, where the party flag was hoisted under the leadership of the Seva Dal. Horticulture and Revenue Minister Jagat Singh Negi led the ceremony, saluting the Seva Dal contingent and commending its unwavering role at the forefront of the party’s journey.

Addressing party workers, Negi reflected on Congress’s long history of sacrifice and contribution—from the freedom struggle to shaping modern India. He highlighted Shimla’s deep connection with Congress, recalling historic agreements signed in the city, and proposed the creation of a Congress museum to preserve and share this legacy with future generations.

Negi also criticized the BJP, accusing it of weakening the Constitution and democracy, and urged party members to unite in safeguarding the nation’s values.

Chief Minister’s Principal Media Advisor Naresh Chauhan echoed these sentiments, reminding workers of Congress’s lineage of leaders—from Mahatma Gandhi to Jawaharlal Nehru, Lal Bahadur Shastri, Indira Gandhi, Rajiv Gandhi, Narasimha Rao, and Manmohan Singh—who shaped India’s identity and progress. He stressed that strengthening Congress is essential to amplifying the people’s voice in today’s political climate.

State Women’s Congress President Zainab Chandel emphasized Congress’s role in laying the foundation for education, healthcare, and poverty alleviation programs, warning that many of these initiatives, including MNREGA, are being weakened today. She called for unity against policies that undermine the welfare of the people.

The event was attended by a wide spectrum of leaders and workers, including MLAs, municipal officials, Seva Dal representatives, Youth Congress leaders, and members of the Scheduled Caste Department. Together, they marked the day not just as a celebration of history, but as a call to action for the future.