Congress to hold meeting on June 23, discuss face-off with China, Nepal

The Congress Working Committee (CWC) will meet on June 23 to discuss the prevailing Covid-19 situation in the country, the hike in petrol and diesel prices and the border tension with China. The highest decision-making body of the party will also discuss the current stand-off with Nepal. Congress president Sonia Gandhi will chair the meeting.

New Delhi:Congress President Sonia Gandhi has called a meeting of Congress Working Committee (CWC) on June 23 to discuss about the prevailing situation of the country amid COVID-19 pandemic, it's economic impact, hike in petrol and diesel prices, as well as the border tensions with China and Nepal.

The meeting which will be held via video conferencing under the leadership of Sonia Gandhi, is likely to be attended by CWC members, special invitees and CMs of various states.

As India and China are currently engaged in a diplomatic and military contacts for an "early resolution" of stand-off and to reduce the border tensions, Congress is continuously demanding the Central Government to take all opposition parties into confidence regarding the matter.

In a statement released by Indian Army, on Tuesday, it was informed that when the de-escalation process was underway in Galwan valley, a violent face-off took place yesterday night with casualties on both sides.

"Shocking, Unbelievable and Unacceptable. Will the Raksha Mantri confirm?" asked Congress spokesperson Randeep Singh Surjewala, in his tweet.

Congress President Sonia Gandhi also slammed the Central Government on the issue of hike in petrol and diesel prices demanding a roll-back of the decision.

In her letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, she said, "As it is, people across the board are facing unimaginable hardships, what to say of widespread fear and insecurity. The price increases are saddling our people with an additional burden of this enormous magnitude that is neither justified nor appropriate."

While expressing concern over the economic impact of COVID-19, Congress is continuously demanding the government to provide money directly into the hands of poor, farmers, migrant labourers, small and medium scale businesses.

In a recent tweet of former Congress President, Rahul Gandhi, he asserted, "If GOI doesn't inject cash to start economy now- the poor will be decimated, middle class will become the new poor and crony capitalists will own the entire country."

He also questioned government's strategy on opening up the country, while sharing the figures of spread of virus in the country after 'Unlock1'.

"India is firmly on its way to winning the wrong race. A horrific tragedy, resulting from a lethal blend of arrogance and incompetence," he said in one of his tweet.

In the previous CWC meeting held on April 23, Congress party alleged that the ruling BJP government is seeking to inflame communal divisions amid the pandemic.

The highest decision-making body of the party also discussed about the empowerment of states to devise solutions to tackle the COVID-19 crisis.