In a clear signal that she was not happy with the way the lower-level party functionaries were being treated, Congress president Sonia Gandhi today asked senior leaders ‘‘not to be miserly’’ with giving respect to them.On the last day of the block presidents’ convention here, Sonia said: ‘‘Partymen have been saying that even in the Congress-ruled states, there is an apathy towards block-level functionaries.’’ ‘‘We must remember that the government is there because of the party, the party is not there because of the government,’’ she added.Also present at the convention were partymen from states like Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh and Delhi, which are going to polls. They felt that their contribution to the party was not being recognised.‘‘Like in real life, we know all our dreams don’t come true. Similarly, not everyone can be given ticket to contest the elections. But those in responsible places should make sure that they are not kanjoos (miserly) in giving respect to the party functionaries,’’ Sonia said.The sorry state of affairs at the lower rung was evident when Sonia had to direct senior leaders to attend functions organised in their areas. ‘‘MPs and MLAs must solicit the view of block and district-level workers for doing development works in the area. Party offices must be opened in every block and whenever the ministers visit the area, they must visit these offices,’’ she ordered.‘‘We are not here for getting into power,’’ she said, and added, ‘‘But with the organisational strength with us, no force can stop us.’’She announced that the party will hold block-level conventions, training programme for district-level workers, padyatras by youth, Panchayti Raj conventions and rallies across the country to highlight the failures of the NDA Government.Sonia also announced a ‘‘Priyadarshini Puraskar’’, a prize for a woman leader at the district and pradesh level of the party.Also seeking to retrieve the crucial Dalit votes, especially in Uttar Pradesh, Gandhi said the party will follow the Constitutional directives drafted by Dr B.R. Ambedkar.
