Indian National Congress Celebrates 139th Foundation Day

Today marks the 139th Foundation Day of the well-known political party, the Indian National Congress (INC). The INC is one of the two major political parties in India, the other being the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). As of December 3, 2023, the Indian National Congress holds power in three Indian states, Telangana, Karnataka and Himachal Pradesh. 

On December 28, 1885, the INC was founded by Allan Octavian Hume, popularly known as the Father of the Indian National Congress, at Gokuldas Tejpal Sanskrit College in Bombay, now called Mumbai. 72 representatives from all over India came together to establish the governing body. Some of the most important delegates present were Surendranath Banerjee, Womesh Chandra Bonnerjee, and Dadabhai Naroji. After the formation of the Congress, Hume became the first General Secretary and Womesh Chandra Bonnerjee was elected as the first president. 

The Congress was formed at a time when the British ruled India. Establishing the Congress aimed to bring about reformation under the British Raj in India. Gradually, with the rise of Mahatma Gandhi, the INC worked towards liberating India from colonialism.

Today, to celebrate its 139th Foundation Day, Mallikarjun Kharge, the national president of the party hoisted the party flag at the All India Congress Committee (AICC) Headquarters in Delhi.