New Delhi, Dec. 28 -- Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge on Sunday mounted a strong ideological defence of his party, dismissing claims that the Congress has lost its relevance and asserting that while its political power may have waned, its commitment to constitutional values remains unshaken.

Addressing party workers and supporters on the Congress Foundation Day, Kharge said the Congress continues to stand firmly for secularism, social justice and the rights of the poor, even while sitting in the opposition.

"Today, on Foundation Day, I want to clearly say one thing to those who say, 'The Congress is finished'-our power may be less, but our spine is still straight," Kharge said in an address also posted on handle X.

He stressed that...