Congress Plenary Session Adopts Vision for National Election, Promises New Laws Against Hate Crimes

The 85th Plenary Session of Congress in Raipur on Saturday adopted a political resolution that pitched for a National Election Fund to which all may contribute and during elections, “funds will be allocated to political parties using a transparent and fair criterion laid down by law”. The electoral bonds have been a major bone of contention and have primarily helped the Bharatiya Janata Party mop up funds through donations. The resolution called for a new anti- discrimination law to prohibit discrimination on the basis of “religion, caste, gender or language in the supply of goods and services”, and a new law to prevent and punish hate crimes. It also sought to protect the independence of the judiciary and media and initiate a comprehensive review of all laws, rules and regulations. Pushing for alliances ahead of the assembly polls and the Lok Sabha election, the Congress’s political resolution said: “Unity of secular and socialist forces will be the hallmark of the future of the Congress party”. The resolution asked all India Congress committee (AICC) to implement all the resolutions within an immediate time frame.