Rahul Gandhi talks to media after Congress core group meeting

Congress Vice President Rahul Gandhi said that screening process of candidates for the coming Lok Sabha polls have been started. "A new type of screening to pick the candidates have been screening to pick the Candidates have been initiated. It is a new process how the voices of the people can be brought to the system", said Rahul Gandhi.

Rahul Gandhi in Punjab addresses Congress rally; describes Prime Minister as his political guru

Sangrur: Congress vice president Rahul Gandhi while addressing a mammoth rally in Punjab’s Singrur, showered praises on Prime Minister Manmohan Singh for his efforts for development and also called him as his political guru.

When I was attending the inauguration of the Hospital today (Vijay Indra) Singlaji told me that ‘today is the happiest day of my life”. I could see tears in his eyes. Yes.. this is a happy moment. If you have this hospital here today, it is because of Ghulam Nabi Azad who sanctioned it and because Singlahi who applied pressure for this.

You must have heard about my comment on Ordinance (on convicted lawmakers) opposing the same.  When I was visiting Gujarat recently I had an interaction with the media. The press persons asked me about my comment on the Ordinance. I had said that such an Ordinance is nonsense. The journalists commented that I made the statement on Ordinance at a wrong time. I asked them whether my said comment was right or wrong. They replied that what I said was right. So, I asked them whether there is any fixed time to tell the truth! Has that time come in Indian politics that one should search for auspicious time to tell the truth? I want to change this. We must tell the truth if we want to fight corruption.

While I was coming here, I was just thinking what to speak about today at this rally. Even my colleagues in office complain that I do not speak based on the points prepared by them. It is correct also.. I note down the points but rarely use it in my speeches. Today also I was thinking about a topic on which I can talk. Suddenly an incident came to my mind.

When I was a kid, one day my father – who was a pilot like Capt. Amrinder Singh, was about to fly an aircraft. My mother looked at the sky and noticed that weather was bad.  She complained to me and Priyanka (Priyanka Gandhi Vadra) that weather is not conducive to fly aircraft but our father is going ahead. After that, whenever my father leaves we used to look at the sky to see whether climate is good or bad.

Why I am telling this now? There is a reason. I can see good number of women in front me. We all get strength from them. When a mother is scared, a house is also scared and when a house is under scare, entire nation will be scared.
I am sure that there won’t be a single mother in Punjab who is not bothered about her children. The main reason for that fear is the menace of drugs.
We now talk about right to food. I can tell you that Punjab provides food to the entire country. I want to assert that without the farmers of Punjab and Haryana we cannot ensure food security in our country.

But the youth in Punjab also have a fear. They worry whether they would be able to fetch a good job to support their families. The mothers in Punjab fear about the menace of drugs and the youth have the fear of unemployment. These two fears are prevailing here. We need to take out fears of drugs and unemployment from Punjab to take this state forward.

There is no problem with the people of Punjab. You only gave me Manmohan Singh Ji (PM). I have two gurus in politics; one is the Congress President and the other is Dr. Manmohan Singh. I also want to underline that no one else has done so much development work for our country as done by Manmohan Singhji.. You only give him to us. The most important quality of a politician must be good intention. If intention is clear, we can achieve everything. Manmohan Singh ji has a pure intention.

We run a government (at the centre) from 2004. We have redefined the concept of development. People ask us what UPA has done for the people. We initiated the politics of granting rights to the people. What we decided is to give people their rights – without any discrimination of caste, religion or region.
We gave you the right to job, right to education, right to food and right to information. These rights empowered the people in our country. RTI acts as a powerful tool to fight corruption. It gave strength to the people. Anyone can get any information about government activities and the facts which were earlier hid behind the closed doors have now started coming out in open.
Who brought such powerful laws? It is not BJP but the Congress did it. Please see what is happening in BJP ruled states.. what is the status of RTI commissioner.. you can see it.

Congress implemented such laws to empower the people; to give people more strength. Remember, we will not stop.. but will continue with such efforts.
Congress implemented Panchayati Raj system. The youth of 21st century want to empower themselves. Even today, we are not yet wholly successful in empowering rural poor despite Panchayati Raj. Congress is trying to solve this problem. We want to empower the rural poor and aam aadmi.

I also want to tell something about women. Till we induct more and more women into politics, we cannot develop. If we want achieve the expected growth, we want more and more women in politics.

Elections are approaching.  I am sure that Congress will win both the Lok Sabha and next Assembly polls in Punjab. There is no doubt about it. We believe in inclusive politics. We want development by including every section of the society. 

I had visited riot-hit Muzaffarnagar riots. Hindus and Muslims died in the riots..I spoke to both communities, they told me, there is no anger between them. They love each other. It was the politicians who have created this rift.  The feeling of hatred was spread by BJP and SP. They told me that the riots were orchestrated by these people. . No politician dies in riots, the common man does. No political leader died in Muzaffarnagar. Poor people, journalists and the person who fight for common people died there. No one had any benefit. It is the poor who suffer the most due to riots. They love peace.

I want to request one thing to Akali Dal leaders. There are a lot of farmers who put in their hard work in Gujarat. Some of them have come to me with tears in their eyes complaining about the atrocities they face in Gujarat. They face the threat of eviction by the Gujarat Government. I agree, they are from Punjab and are working in Gujarat; but ultimately they are Indians first then only Punjabis.

This is a wrong politics and a bad policy of the Gujarat Government. I, therefore, request the Akalidal Government here to please advice your partner in government (BJP) to stop such misdeeds and give back the lands of farmers to your people.

I just wanted to share these points to you. Before concluding, I want to tell that our country cannot progress without the people of Punjab as it ios the people of Punjab who provide food to the entire nation. I will never forget this and I am thankful to all of you for this.
Thank you.

See More:- Rahul Gandhi

Rahul Gandhi in Punjab addresses Congress rally; slams BJP, praises Manmohan Singh,Part 02

Sangrur: Congress vice president Rahul Gandhi while addressing a mammoth rally in Punjab's Sangrur, showered praises on Prime Minister Manmohan Singh for his efforts for development and also called him as his political guru. "You only gave me Manmohan Singh Ji (PM). I have two gurus in politics; one is the Congress President (Sonia Gandhi) and the other is Dr. Manmohan Singh" said the Congress leader and added "I want to underline that no one else has done so much development work for our country as done by Manmohan Singhji". "The most important quality of a politician must be good intention. If intention is clear, we can achieve everything. Manmohan Singh ji has a pure intention" he asserted.

Sonia Gandhi at Banihal (J&K): UPA govt believes in inclusive growth

The Banihal-Quazigund railway section, providing all-weather surface link to Kashmir valley, was inaugurated by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and UPA Chairperson Sonia Gandhi in Jammu and Kashmir. "UPA Government at the centre believes in inclusive growth. We also take measures for welfare and upliftment of the people at far-flung areas who are deprived off basic facilities. This was the vision for 'Bharat Nirman' of late Prime Minister Jawahar Lal Nehru, who had drafted a road-map for the modern India. Indira Gandhi and Rajiv Gandhi followed his foot- steps. The UPA Government at centre under the leadership of Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh also has been following this vision of development" said Sonia Gandhi.

Sonia Gandhi at Banihal (J&K) lists out UPA Govt's rural welfare policies

The Banihal-Quazigund railway section, providing all-weather surface link to Kashmir valley, was inaugurated by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and UPA Chairperson Sonia Gandhi in Jammu and Kashmir. "During the past few years, the central government has extended support to the Jammu Kashmir government to build roads, highways, tunnels, bridges and railway lines. Efforts have also been made to ensure connectivity in the distant areas. The Mughal road connecting Kashmiri Ghati to Rajouri, the tunnel and the highway between Kashmir and Ladak are some of the examples. We also want proper roads in all the villages here so that there will not be any problem for commuting in all seasons and I am confident that the central government will ensure timely completion of all such rural road projects undertaken in the state" said Sonia Gandhi.

Sonia Gandhi at Banihal (J&K): People of Kashmir are fed up with violence

The Banihal-Quazigund railway section, providing all-weather surface link to Kashmir valley, was inaugurated by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and UPA Chairperson Sonia Gandhi in Jammu and Kashmir. "The National Conference (NC)-Congress coalition government in the state has initiated several development processes to transform the state. The people also have started appreciating these efforts. The turn-out in the recently held Panchayat elections in the state undoubtedly prove that, the people of the state are fed up with the violence and they want to live in peace and harmony. The youth here want good education, better job opportunities and a bright career. Similarly, the Kashmiri women want to be self-reliant and they look for positive changes in their living standards. The UPA Government has therefore launched schemes like HIMAYAT and UMEED. Several other initiatives are also being implemented" said Sonia Gandhi.

Sonia Gandhi at Banihal (J&K) assures full support for Kashmir's development

The Banihal-Quazigund railway section, providing all-weather surface link to Kashmir valley, was inaugurated by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and UPA Chairperson Sonia Gandhi in Jammu and Kashmir. " I believe that all local bodies should be given more autonomy and financial support and its elections should be held in time. I don't deny that there were some issues in the state regarding this but I am sure that with due consultations, discussions and meetings we can find solutions to every problem" said the Congress President. " The people of Kashmir have the potential and talent to surge ahead and to build a bright future. We need to continue our efforts for better development based on secularism and inclusiveness. We will stand by the people of Kashmir and will together work to ensure their good future" said Sonia Gandhi.

Sonia Gandhi, PM flag-off Banihar-Quazigund rail line in Kashmir

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and UPA Chairperson and Congress President Sonia Gandhi jointly flagged off the first service through Banhial-Quazigund railway line in Kashmir. The new rail line provide the people with all-weather rail link in the Valley.

Sonia Gandhi at the launch of 850 MW power project in Kishtwar, J&K

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Congress President and UPA Chairperson Sonia Gandhi while speaking at a function in Kashmir said that the rural development has been a priority for Congress-led UPA Government at the Centre. She began the two-day visit to Jammu and Kashmir along with Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh on Tuesday to launch various development projects in the state. On Tuesday morning, Sonia Gandhi along with the Prime Minister laid the foundation stone of the 850-MW Rattle hydro power project in Kishtwar district of Jammu region

Sonia Gandhi in Kishtwar, Jammu Kashmir at the launch of 850 MW power project

Congress President and UPA Chairperson Sonia Gandhi while addressing a public rally in Kashmir said that the rural development has been a priority for Congress-led UPA Government at the Centre. She began the two-day visit to Jammu and Kashmir along with Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh on Tuesday to launch various development projects in the state. On Tuesday morning, Sonia Gandhi along with the Prime Minister laid the foundation stone of the 850-MW Rattle hydro power project in Kishtwar district of Jammu region.

Sonia Gandhi in J&K highlights UPA’s commitment for rural development

Congress President and UPA Chairperson Sonia Gandhi while speaking at a function in Kashmir paid tributes to soldiers killed in a militant attack in Srinagar. She also said that the rural development has been a priority for Congress-led UPA Government at the Centre. She began the two-day visit to Jammu and Kashmir along with Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh on Tuesday to launch various development projects in the state. On Tuesday morning, Sonia Gandhi along with the Prime Minister laid the foundation stone of the 850-MW Rattle hydro power project in Kishtwar district of Jammu region.  

While addressing the function Sonia Gandhi said, “We cannot forget the tragedy which struck this state yesterday and also we cannot the disaster took place in Himachal and Uttarakhand. My heart goes out to the soldiers who laid down their lives in Srinagar on Monday and I express my sincere condolences to their families. I also salute our brave soldiers who have been putting all their sincere efforts in the rescue and relief operations at the flood-ravaged Uttarakhand”.

“UPA government at the centre gave priority for rural development across the country, especially to improve connectivity” said Sonia Gandhi. Sonia Gandhi also praised former J-K Chief Minister, for the development works undertaken under him in the state. “Indira Gandhi had a special love for this state.  She was very much concerned about the development here.  With this intention only she had laid the foundation stone for Dulhasti power station in Kishtwar.  Like his mother, Rajiv Gandhi also had paid special attention for development of this back ward region of the hill state” added Sonia Gandhi.

Striking an emotional chord with the Kashmiri people, the Congress President said “I am proud that the people of Jammu and Kashmir have shown determination to put the state on the path of peace, progress and development.  Further it is a matter of pride that the number of IAS, IFS officers from Kashmir has gone up. It shows there is tremendous potential among the Kashmiri youth and if given a chance, they have the talent to perform at all levels”. She also stressed that the ecology and biodiversity should be protected while carrying out development projects. 

The Congress President also shared that the UPA Govt at the central has launched several schemes for development and employment generation. "The Centre has launched Udaan and Himayat schemes for upgrading employment skills of the youth in the state”, she said. She also reminded about the ‘UMEED’ scheme for women, which was launched by Chief Minister Omar Abdullah and Rahul Gandhi recently, for making the women of the state self-reliant.

Before departure for New Delhi June 26, Sonia Gandhi and the Prime Minister will inaugurate the 11-km-long railway tunnel across the Pir Panjal mountain range, connecting the Kashmir Valley with the Jammu region, cutting short the surface distance between Kashmir and the Jammu region by 17 km. The tunnel will also provide all-weather access across the Pir Panjal mountain range.

The Srinagar-Jammu National Highway often gets closed in heavy snowfall during winter, causing regions across the Pir Panjal from Jammu to be cut off - at times for a few months - each year.