Ramesh at Chintan Shivir: This is Congress' Obama moment

Union Rural Development Minister Jairam Ramesh has worked for weeks to prepare speeches and the Congress' Jaipur Declaration. "This is the Obama moment of the Congress, where the party is re-energised with the rise of young leadership," he said.  

Talking about the Jaipur Chintan Shivir and the elevation of Rahul Gandhi to the Congress vice president's post, Ramesh said, "This is an overwhelming moment. The party has a clear agenda. The party has a new young leadership; it has restated its ideology. The party has recognised its weaknesses. This is very important."

He said that the Congress has sent a message that it will improve its ways when it comes to communication strategy and harnessing the social media. "This is the important message that has gone from Jaipur."

"We have made a number of political commitments. We have a party committed to mobilising health, land and women issues," he said.  

The Jaipur Declaration recognises that the "political party has to take leadership on the development issue." "The Jaipur Declaration will be our Magna Carta," exclaimed Ramesh. 

He said that on Sunday that Congress President Sonia Gandhi had announced the task force on electoral reforms and political funding. "In 2002, the Manmohan Singh committee had made recommendations. It is important to visit them after 11 years," he said.