Rahul Gandhi slams BJP govt in Rajasthan, says the state has a Lalit Modi Govt

Congress Vice President Rahul Gandhi addressed a gathering of Congress workers in Jaipur as part of his two-day visit to Rajasthan. He slammed the BJP govt in Rajasthan as well as the Narendra Modi-led govt at the Centre. “ Today the Rajasthan government's remote control is in London. They press the button and she jumps. This is a 'Lalit Modi sarkaar'.. Your Chief Minister has signed and said I want to help a fugitive but don't tell the people of India.. She broke the law of this country, helped a wanted a fugitive” said the Congress Vice President.

Rahul Gandhi slams BJP govt in Rajasthan, says the state has a Lalit Modi Govt

Congress Vice President Rahul Gandhi addressed a gathering of Congress workers in Jaipur as part of his two-day visit to Rajasthan. He slammed the BJP govt in Rajasthan as well as the Narendra Modi-led govt at the Centre. “ Today the Rajasthan government's remote control is in London. They press the button and she jumps. This is a 'Lalit Modi sarkaar'.. Your Chief Minister has signed and said I want to help a fugitive but don't tell the people of India.. She broke the law of this country, helped a wanted a fugitive” said the Congress Vice President.

Rahul Gandhi slams PM Modi, says 56-Inch chest will shrink to 5.6 inches

Congress Vice President Rahul Gandhi addressed a gathering of Congress workers in Jaipur as part of his two-day visit to Rajasthan. He slammed the BJP govt in Rajasthan as well as the Narendra Modi-led govt at the Centre. “ I never understood the practical use of pagdi. After walking 10 km in Rajasthan, I have understood the importance of a pagdi.. I liked the movie Lagaan about the poor of India, and tax being taken from farmers, and how they unite.. In the end, the farmers win. In the movie, and in real life.” He said. “The farmers in our country, the people and the Congress party will make the 56inch chest to 5.6 inch, if they try to grab the lands of the poor” warned the Congress leader.

Full text of Sh. Rahul Gandhi’s speech at Salumbar, Dist. Udairpur, Rajasthan

I extend my warm welcome to all of you.

There are two different types of political ideology at present. – one is that of Congress and the other is of the opposition. The opposition says India’s development will come with huge bridges, long roads and airplanes. We agree, but there is one more thing. We say that the country’s progress is only possible if we ensure the welfare and upliftment of the poor, the dalits … only if the people who build these bridges and these roads, are empowered.
What we believe is that country cannot develop just by building roads, railway lines, airports and other things. Country will not move forward until the people who put in their hard work for building this infrastructure get sufficient food and adequate medical facilities. This is the difference between the Congress and other opposition parties.

The opposition parties talk big and attack Congress.  I will explain my response to such attacks with a story - A story of a guru-sishya relation which was prevailing in our tradition thousands of years back. Once, a guruji was teaching his disciples. He was an old person and very learned. While he was teaching, suddenly another person came to him and showered abuses on Guruji. That person continued attacking the Guru with false allegations and wrong facts for 10-15 minutes but Guru ji did not utter any word in return and maintained his calm. Soon after the person left, the disciples asked Guru ji why he kept mum and did not respond to the abuses. Then Guruji replied “See.. that person came with a gift for me – his anger. He offered it to me but I did not accept it. He shouted for 10-15 minutes but of no use. He went back with his anger, and I am doing my duties.”

Similarly, I will not say anything wrong about anyone. Let the opposition abuse us, attack us. They are free to do so. No matter how much you (the opposition) criticise us, we won’t accept it because we are Congress soldiers, we work for the country. We are fighting for our nation. Our dream is the dream of our country. We are fighting for the poor people in the country.  I want to crush my dreams and to make your dreams mine. 

Now please let me tell something about you. Here too you can figure out the differences in thoughts between us and the opposition parties. What we consider is that India is a bouquet with different flowers. We want all the flowers to shine be it Hindu, Sikh, Muslim or Adivasi or anyone. We want to take everyone along. We want the voice of Adivasis are heard.

The UPA government at the centre implemented several welfare policies like MNREGA for the benefit of the poor. The opposition kept on asking from where we will have the funds for those. But we showed them how to do it.  Wherever you go in our country, the poor will agree that the Congress government gave them the right to job and thus respect.

Now we have moved one step further. We have passed the bill granting the right to food –food security bill.  The opposition tried all their best to block it. They stalled the parliament, adopted various tactics. But committed Sonia Ji and Manmohan Ji put in their best efforts and got the Bill passed.. Thus, we have now guaranteed right to food to every citizen in our country. 

This is not a small achievement. It is for the first time in our history that such a law is passed to make our country hunger-free..  Girija Vyasji had just raised a slogan – we will have half a roti and will support Congress.. This is an old slogan.. the new correct slogan would be ‘we will have 3-4 roties and will vote for Congress..; because now, no one will sleep hungry in our country.
Gehlot ji had just said about state government scheme to distribute free medicines for the poor. Few days back, I was just interacting with some labour workers in Uttar Pradesh and asked them to tell me something about their lives. They said they worked hard, fell sick and had to spend their income on medicines. This is the pathetic situation prevailing.

But what is our government doing? Our government in Rajasthan and Karnataka are supplying free medicines to those poor..  So the new slogan for us will be “We will have enogh food, we will have 100 days job, will have free medicines and will bring Congress”.

Certain people who sit in Delhi’s palatial rooms think that the poor people are a burden. The same is the case with our opposition.. they also think the same way.. they consider that the people like Adivasis,  Dalits and backwards are a burden for them.. But we (Congress) think differently. We know that if the country has developed, that is because of the sweat and blood of these people who are assembled in front of me here – the dalits, adivasis, farmers and the poor. If we cannot help these people, if we can’t ensure their welfare and empowerment, then we do not have to be politics. This is the vision of the Congress.

Ashok Gehlot has opened a new university for adivasis? Why did we do so? We want the young generation of adivasis are properly educated so that they can surge ahead and be self reliant. We built railway lines worth Rs. 1200 cr. We did so to connect the adivasis with the outside world. Similarly we opened training centres for adivasis to provide them with adequate skill development techniques so that they also could take part in the process of development.
Congress trusts you (the adivasis). We value your efforts; we know that it is because of your hard work, our country progresses.. No development is possible without you.. But the opposition does not think so..

What was the case with the tribals at Niyamgiri in Orissa? They used to worship the hills. But some businessmen forcibly grabbed their land without even asking them, under the earlier BJP- BJD rule. We fought for the rights of the tribals. We passed the Land Acquisition Bill to pass any such forcible acquisition. We brought this bill to ensure the rights of the poor and adivasis in their lands.  We want to give you your rights as we know that then only you will be empowered and the country will develop.

Rajiv Gandhi implemented Panchayati Raj.. He did so to empower the people at grass roots. He wants decision on any development works in villages be taken at villages itself and not at Delhi or anywhere else. Similarly the people in the villages should get their rights in their lands.. We are just ensuring that rights.. We will continue to fight for you.

Why the opposition parties are angry with us? Opposition is angry because they know that the Congress is supported by the poor and the aam aadmi.  They also know that any fight against the Congress would be a fight against the poor people and they cannot win. The Congress along with Gandhi Ji fought the English and they had to flee from the country.  We are still here and we will not go anywhere. We will continue to fight for the people..

I have come here to tell you just one thing. You have your soldier sitting in Delhi. You fight for your rights here and I am there in Delhi to raise your voice in Lok Sabha and I assure that you will get your rights.. The next government will be of the poor, by the poor and for the poor.. a government which ensures your rights.. and that is of the Congress party.
Thank you.

Rahul Gandhi launches Rajasthan Congress campaign from Udaipur; slams opposition

Congress Vice President Rahul Gandhi kicked off the election campaign of Congress in party in Rajasthan by addressing a mammoth adivasi-kisan rally, in tribal-dominated Salumbar assembly constituency of Udaipur division on Wednesday.

Striking an emotional chord with the huge gathering at the rally, Rahul Gandhi said “We believe that the country’s progress is possible only if we ensure the welfare and upliftment of the poor, the dalits; only if the people who build these bridges and roads, are empowered. What we believe is that country cannot develop just by building roads, railway lines, airports and other things. Country will not move forward until the people who put in their hard work for building this infrastructure get sufficient food and adequate medical facilities. This is the difference between the Congress and other opposition parties” and the crowd acknowledged it with huge cheers.

The Congress Vice President used the occasion to slam the opposition for their frequent attacks on the Congress. “Let the opposition abuse us, attack us. They are free to do so. No matter how much you (the opposition) criticise us, we won’t accept it because we are Congress soldiers, we work for the country. We are fighting for our nation” he said. “Our dream is the dream of our country. We are fighting for the poor people in the country.  I want to crush my dreams and to make your dreams mine” added Rahul Gandhi amidst loud applauds. 

The young Congress leader lauded UPA Government’s welfare initiatives. He also praised the flagship Food Security Bill and said, ”We have passed the bill granting the right to food –food security bill...  We have now guaranteed right to food to every citizen in our country.  This is not a small achievement. It is for the first time in our history that such a law is passed to make our country hunger-free”.  “But the opposition tried all their best to block it. They stalled the parliament, adopted various tactics. But committed Sonia Ji and Manmohan Ji put in their best efforts and got the Bill passed” asserted Rahul Gandhi.

Underlining the secular principle of the Congress, party vice-president said, “India is a bouquet with different flowers. We want all the flowers to shine be it Hindu, Sikh Muslim or Adivasi”. He emphasized that the Land Acquisition Bill was introduced so that the governments cannot forcibly take away land from Dalits and tribals. “What was the case with the tribals at Niyamgiri in Orissa? They used to worship the hills. But some businessmen forcibly grabbed their land without even asking them, under the earlier BJP- BJD rule. We fought for the rights of the tribals. We passed the Land Acquisition Bill to pass any such forcible acquisition. We brought this bill to ensure the rights of the poor and adivasis in their lands”.

“You have your soldier sitting in Delhi. You fight for your rights here and I am there in Delhi to raise your voice in Lok Sabha and I assure that you will get your rights.. The next government will be of the poor, by the poor and for the poor.. a government which ensures your rights.. and that is of the Congress party” concluded Rahul Gandhi.

Union ministers Girija Vyas, Sachin Pilot and CWC member C.P.Joshi were also present on the stage, along with Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot and Rajasthan Congress chief Chandrabhan.

Rahul Gandhi launches Congress campaign in Rajasthan with a big rally in Udaipur

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Congress Vice President Rahul Gandhi kicked off the election campaign of Congress in party in Rajasthan by addressing a mammoth adivasi-kisan rally, in tribal-dominated Salumbar assembly constituency of Udaipur division on Wednesday. Striking an emotional chord with the huge gathering at the rally, Rahul Gandhi said “We believe that the country’s progress is possible only if we ensure the welfare and upliftment of the poor, the dalits; only if the people who build these bridges and roads, are empowered. What we believe is that country cannot develop just by building roads, railway lines, airports and other things. Country will not move forward until the people who put in their hard work for building this infrastructure get sufficient food and adequate medical facilities. This is the difference between the Congress and other opposition parties” and the crowd acknowledged it with huge cheers.

Rahul Gandhi kicks-off Congress campaign in Rajasthan from Udaipur; attacks opposition -- Part 02

Congress Vice President Rahul Gandhi kicked off the election campaign of Congress in party in Rajasthan by addressing a mammoth adivasi-kisan rally, in tribal-dominated Salumbar assembly constituency of Udaipur division on Wednesday. Striking an emotional chord with the huge gathering at the rally, Rahul Gandhi said "We believe that the country's progress is possible only if we ensure the welfare and upliftment of the poor, the dalits; only if the people who build these bridges and roads, are empowered. What we believe is that country cannot develop just by building roads, railway lines, airports and other things. Country will not move forward until the people who put in their hard work for building this infrastructure get sufficient food and adequate medical facilities. This is the difference between the Congress and other opposition parties" and the crowd acknowledged it with huge cheers.

Rahul Gandhi kicks-off Congress campaign in Rajasthan from Udaipur; attacks opposition -- Part 01

Congress Vice President Rahul Gandhi kicked off the election campaign of Congress in party in Rajasthan by addressing a mammoth adivasi-kisan rally, in tribal-dominated Salumbar assembly constituency of Udaipur division on Wednesday. Striking an emotional chord with the huge gathering at the rally, Rahul Gandhi said “We believe that the country’s progress is possible only if we ensure the welfare and upliftment of the poor, the dalits; only if the people who build these bridges and roads, are empowered. What we believe is that country cannot develop just by building roads, railway lines, airports and other things. Country will not move forward until the people who put in their hard work for building this infrastructure get sufficient food and adequate medical facilities. This is the difference between the Congress and other opposition parties” and the crowd acknowledged it with huge cheers.

Rahul Gandhi addresses Congress rally in Udaipur (Rajasthan) on 11th Sept, 2013

Congress Vice President Rahul Gandhi launched the party's campaign with a massive rally in Rajasthan's Udaipur District. He slammed the opposition for blocking the pro-poor initiatives of the Congress-led UPA Government at the centre.

Rahul Gandhi in Rajasthan says he is sad that BJP is opposing Food Security Bill

Jaipur: Congress Vice-President RahulGandhi, who was on a two-day visit to Rajasthan, said on Thursday that he was very sad that BJP and other opposition parties had created hindrance for political reasons in passing the Food Security Bill in the Parliament.

"We are trying in Parliament to get Food Security Bill passed in the larger interest of people, but I am sad that it could not be done because of BJP and opposition. This is very sad that they created hindrance for political reasons," Rahul Gandhi told the reporters after feedback meetings with Congress workers and leaders in Jaipur.  The Congress Mp,  however, expressed hope that the Bill would be passed in future.

Rahul Gandhi added that the Rajasthan government had done good work and launched several welfare schemes like free medicines and pension, among others.

Sonia Gandhi :We as the Congress Party must work united, to come up to the people’s expectations

“The time has come to work together, as the people of our country have great expectations from our Congress party. And, only by fulfilling the aspirations of  people, we will definitely get the mandate again in the coming Lok Sabha  elections, just a little more than a year away from now,” declared Congress President Sonia Gandhi.

She in her concluding address on the concluding day of on-going Chintan Shivir  (brainstorming session) here on Sunday, urged the party workers to gear-up for effective organizational thrusts at all levels, in a meaningful manner.

“ Its time to look within, as the party. What makes us different and unique compared to other political out-fits in the country, must be outlined very clearly. We must answer effectively to questions as why people should vote for the Congress,” categorically stated Congress President Sonia Gandhi.

Congress-led UPA has completed eight and half years at the Centre. It has been a long journey. “We have come up a long way and we must apprise the people with our achievements. Be it about projects under UPA flagship or about various legislations like Right to Information Act ( RTI) and many others, we must project these to the people in general. We have to tell that we as a party have been deeply concerned for the social justice and economic parity among all sections of the society,” she stressed.

Notably, at the very outset of her address at about 10.30 am on Sunday here, Congress President Sonia Gandhi deliberated upon about the unfortunate incident of Delhi gang-rape on December 16 last year. She strongly forwarded that death of  the gang-rape victim in the nation’s capital would not go in vain.

“She ( gang rape victim) was brave and she symbolized the spirit of new India. I will personally see that every single woman and single girl in the country are safe and secure,”  strongly advocated Congress President Sonia Gandhi.

She also talked about reservation for women in the Parliament and she said that it was the vision of late Rajiv Gandhi who forwarded for women’s reservation in the Panchayati Raj system.

Talking about the issue of development as being a poll plank by many political parties, she said that as a party, the Congress is committed for overall development with social justice and economic parity for all.

She urged the party workers to expose all those (other political parties) which claim the UPA flagship projects as their own. Congress President Sonia Gandhi said, “We have not discriminated against any state and have given financial assistance, as required. But, many states claim the Central projects as their own, which we must expose.”

“Congress-led UPA at the Centre is doing all it can, for the overall development of the nation. We as the party must also get into effective mechanism to let people know what all we have done so far and what all we are doing for the country,” she said.

Talking about global economic slowdown and its effect on the Indian economy, Congress President said that some hard decisions have been taken to keep away the likely damages on our economy. “We as the Congress Party must make people aware about these facts and the necessity of the decisions, taken in the interest of the nation,” she focused. She also talked about international relations and said that on accepted civilised structures, the country would go for it with any other country. 

  

In a statement declared from the dais of the Chintan Shivir, Congress President Sonia Gandhi said that the Congress party has been led by great people like Mahatma Gandhi, Lal Bahadur Shashtri, Indira Gandhi., Maulana Azad, Dr B R Ambedkar, Rajiv Gandhi  and many others, to make India a modern country as it is today.

“We as the Congress Party have been fortunate to have been led by great visionaries and now, with their ideals, we must surge ahead to come up to the expectations of the people of this country,” announced Congress President Sonia Gandhi.

Sonia Gandhi at AICC session: Tackling corruption, safety of women should be the priorities

“I will continue to press for women reservation Bill; Delhi Gang-rape victim’s death will not go in vain”

Congress President Sonia Gandhi today addressed a meeting of the All India Congress Committee (AICC) in Jaipur on the last day of the Chintan Shivir that began on Friday. “I am delighted by the active participation of our young leaders at the Shivir. The Chintan Shivir allowed us to introspect on key national and international issues” said the Congress President.

Referring her concern over corruption which according to her is deep rooted in the entire system, Sonia Gandhi said “Let me reiterate corruption at all levels is a deep rooted malice and all sections of society are affected by it. As a party we must lead struggle to combat its effect. At the last AICC session, corruption was major issue. I laid out a five-point action plan then and the government has worked on it.”  “We have introduced the Lokpal bill in Parliament. We have introduced new path-breaking legislation for addressing public grievances and to protect whistleblowers” added the Congress President.

Touching upon the game changing policy of Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) Sonia Gandhi said “We also launched the historic 'Aap Ka Paisa Aap Ke Haath' scheme, which will stop corruption by middlemen”.

Sonia Gandhi also talked about the recent gang rape incident in Delhi that invited wide protests across the country. “The barbaric gang-rape of a young woman in Delhi has shaken the country. She embodied the spirit of an aspirational India. We will ensure her death will not go in vain” said the Congress President.

“Gender issues were discussed at the Chintan Shivir. The Congress has been at the forefront in the struggle to empower women, and it will continue to do so. Every woman has the fundamental right to feel safe and secure. Public figures made unacceptable remarks against women. We cannot tolerate mindsets that lead to crimes against women and children” she underlined.

Sonia Gandhi then declared “I assure you I will continue to press for a law for 30 per cent reservation for women in Parliament and assemblies”.

Exhorting the leaders to go to the people and explain the Congress’s achievements, the party leader continued “Today is also the time for the party to introspect and see how we are better than our opponents. We need to clearly explain to the people why we are a better political choice. We have the support of all sections of the society. The Congress is especially concerned about the welfare of the backward sections, women and farmers”.

She also sent out a warning; “We will fight forces that threaten the unity and integrity of the country”.

Listing out UCongress-led UPA Govt’s achievements, the chairperson of the claition said “Congress has worked to free the country from poverty. Our UPA government has worked very effectively under the leadership of Manmohan Singh”.

While defending the Centre’s economic reform measures, she added “Global recession is having an effect on India and has forced the government to take some hard decisions, which have hit the people” and told the Congress leaders, “We should explain to the people the reasons for these hard economic decisions”.

Admitting that the people have losing faith in politicians, Sonia Gandhi reminded “People are losing faith in politicians. We have to understand why this is happening”.

The Congress president also spoke about the need for electoral reforms and said that the Election Commission (EC) must introduce the necessary changes. Sonia Gandhi also asked the party members to work with unity and discipline saying that their victory was in the victory of the party.

“There are only 15 months left to the Lok Sabha elections. If we work well, there is no doubt we will be re-elected again. This is the time to work hard. As the country's main political party, the people's expectations from us is higher. We cannot let down the people who have put their faith in us” she said while concluding her address.

Rahul Gandhi: Congress not just a party but a big family with ‘Hindustani’ DNA

 Newly-appointed Vice-President of the Congress Party, Rahul Gandhi, in his first inaugural address at the Chintan Shivir  (brainstorming session) after donning the Number -2 position in the organization, urged the entire rank and file of his party to prepare for a change, to enable the country to grow from strength to strength, at all levels of governance.

“I am optimistic and we have already put the building-blocks in place. We need to transform the system of governance for a better India, where all people get empowered with their voices heard and their say being accounted for,”stated Rahul Gandhi. He said that power should not be used for the attributes of power but for empowering the people.

Dedicating his life to the Congress Party and the nation, he said that Congress is not just a political out-fit but is a big family – biggest in the globe- and its DNA is Hindustani (Indian).

In a very straight-forward deliberation, the new Vice-President of Congress Rahul Gandhi, forwarded that the party needs some set of rules of internal governance and this could be possible only by way of changing the old system.

“We need to develop leadership at all levels. We must have 40 to 50 such leaders who can be fit enough to run the country. Likewise, in every state there should be at least 10 to 20 leaders who can take the responsibility to run the concerned state,” Rahul Gandhi said. The same should be the case at district and local levels, he added. 

About ticket distribution system for contesting elections, he said that decision from top is taken but it should not be like that. Party workers should be respected and be given due space in this regard, he categorically said. About leaders, he said those who perform should be honoured  and those who don’t should be ousted, he remarked. He also warned that actions must be taken against the rebels in the party.

At the outset, he thanked all party workers of the Congress for their toil, in strengthening the organization. “It is a honour for me that I have been given a responsibility,” he very humbly forwarded. He also thanked all for the learnings he got in the past eight years that he has been in active politics.

“In 1947, India got liberated. We fought with British Empire with non-violence and we defeated them and sent them back home. Mahatma Gandhi’s successor Pt Nehru, Maluana Azad and many other visionaries gave voice to millions of Indians. During last six decades of Independence, India has seen Green Revolution, Banks’ Nationalisation, IT Revolution and all these have empowered the people of our country in many ways,” said Rahul Gandhi.

Congress-led UPA  to  have followed the great ideals of our nation-builders like Mahatma Gandhi., he said. He talked about RTI, MNREGA, Right to Education and Food Security Bill and said as how these have been aiming to empower the ‘Aam Aadmi’ of this country.