BENGALURU: Former Union minister, Mani Shankar Aiyar, on Tuesday advocated that the Congress must commence the process of transforming party members into workers in order to strengthen the party.

Speaking at panchayat raj development programme organised by KPCC here, Mr Aiyar said the party had constantly launched membership drives for several years but the entire exercise will prove futile if members are not converted into party workers. “For several years, our party has been banking on membership drives to win polls, but successive elections have proved that the party was wrong in trusting these membership drives. Our party has reached a stage where it needs to expand its base by converting members into workers,” he added.

He said the party encountered a tough task of winning over rural voters though the late Prime Minister, Rajiv Gandhi, was instrumental in introduction of a comprehensive amendment to the Constitution to arm panchayats with more power. Besides, it ought not to play second fiddle to other parties but remain in a position to lead on its own. “I am of the firm opinion that the party need not be at anybody’s mercy. It should strive to stand up on its own, and face challenges on its own,” he added.