Rahul Gandhi: Lokpal bill is important for India; all parties must set aside differences to pass it

New Delhi: Congress Vice President Rahul Gandhi on Saturday, while addressing the media persons, emphasized that his party is committed to pass the Lokpal Bill in the Parliament. He also urged the parties -- both allies and the opposition- to support the legislature in Parliament. "We would like opposition and other parties to ensure the Bill is passed. This is a matter of national importance. We would like all parties to put aside their concerns and do this job," Rahul Gandhi said at the press conference, flanked by union ministers P Chidambaram and Kapil Sibal.

Rahul Gandhi urges all parties to set aside differences and support Lokpal Bill

Rahul Gandhi: Congress is committed for Lokpal Bill, requests all parties support to pass it
New Delhi: Congress Vice President Rahul Gandhi on Saturday, while addressing the media persons, emphasized that his party is committed to pass the Lokpal Bill in the Parliament. He also urged the parties – both allies and the opposition- to support the legislature in Parliament.

"We would like opposition and other parties to ensure the Bill is passed. This is a matter of national importance. We would like all parties to put aside their concerns and do this job," Rahul Gandhi said at the press conference, flanked by union ministers P Chidambaram and Kapil Sibal.

The Congress leader denied that his party was in a hurry to pass the Bill to redeem itself after its defeat in state polls. "This is not a question of defeat or victory. It is a big step towards tackling corruption, it should be taken and the bill must be passed," said Rahul Gandhi.

“This is a bill of national importance and there is broad consensus. Congress is ready to support it,” he added. If we can get support of all parties, we can pass Lokpal bill.. . This Bill will help India in a big way. We are at the finishing stage. Congress is committed to pass it. We request all others to support it”, urged the Congress Vice President.

Expressing concern over the continuing logjam in the Parliament, Rahul Gandhi said “Congress has been struggling to pass the Lokpal Bill. But Parliament has been disrupted”. “Lokpal Bill is not a solution to all issues, but it is a big step. We must pass Lokpal bill” he said replying to a question.
“We have been working a frame work to curb graft. The most important step was RTI. And now, Lokpal Bill is also one among them. It also can be a powerful tool to tackle corruption”, said Rahul Gandhi. “RTI was the most important step to curb graft. We are committed to provide an anti-corruption legislature. Lokpal is an addition”, he reiterated.

While responding to the queries, the Congress leader asserted, “Our duty is to provide measures to tackle corruption. We gave you RTI and now Lokpal is also ready,” and cointinued, “We are 99% through on Lokpal Bill. What we need is 1% movement or push from political parties so that we can deliver on Lokpal Bill”.“Lokpal bill is important for the country. We must set aside all differences and other concerns and must work together to get it passed. All parties must come together to support this legislature. That is all what we wanted to say in this press conference. Thank you,” said Rahul Gandhi while ending the press meet.

Rahul Gandhi: Whatever we write on our manifesto, we will accomplish that

Rahul Gandhi: Whatever we write on our manifesto, we will accomplish that
Congress Vice President Rahul Gandhi held a meeting with SC/ST representatives to discuss Congress Manifesto. He launched the consultations – Your Voice, Our Pledge – with the 235 representatives from NGOs and groups working for upholding the rights of the deprived sections comprising dalits, tribals and OBCs, and assured to bring a change in the manner politics is played behind closed doors.

“We started this process to open to these close doors gradually. There are two closed rooms in Indian politics, one is policies and other one is ticket. We want to open these two rooms in this 21st century. This is the reason I have come here and discussing this with you. It’s not a mere paper but it’s a commitment for us when our party forms a government. Whatever we write on our manifesto, we will accomplish that,” said Rahul Gandhi.

“The Congress has to completely transform itself and it has to give voice to our biggest supporters. It cannot continue to operate the way it does. It means developing, and promoting leadership among these communities and making them run, there is no other way around. Everything else is history. You are seeing right now the first step of that process. In the Youth Congress we have been doing this for years. We understand how it is does very well. We have all the system to do it. We are going to implement and you are going to see the difference,” Rahul Gandhi said.

“Everybody talks big things. The basic problem is in this country that 500 people run this country. And until we move from 500 people running this country to million people running this country, real change in this country is not going to come. This is something that I understand deeply. And if there is anything I want to achieve in my political career is to a place where 500 people run this country or certainly the Congress party to place where thousands and thousands youngsters like you tribal, dalit, OBC, upper, Hindu, Muslim run this country.



Until we move to a place where you running the country you are not going to get what you want, that what we want to do. We have to go forward by including people not only in manifesto but also in ticket distribution.” Rahul Gandhi added.

The Congress party also said the private sector should have reservation in jobs to effectively implement the plan for affirmative action. Congress plans to release its manifesto for the Lok Sabha elections by the end of next month by incorporating suggestions it receives during similar consultations it plans to hold across the country. The consultations were only the beginning, Rahul Gandhi said.

Rahul Gandhi at Congress manifesto meeting

Congress Vice President Sh. Rahul Gandhi holds a meeting with SC/ST representatives to discuss Congress Manifesto. "We started this process to open to these close doors gradually. There are two closed rooms in Indian politics, one is policies and other one is ticket. We want to open these two rooms in 21st century. This is the reason I have come here and discussing this with you. It's not a mere paper but it's a commitment for us when our party forms a government. Whatever we write on our manifesto, we will accomplish that." Rahul Gandhi. "The Congress has to completely transform itself and it has to give voice to our biggest supporters. It cannot continue to operate the way it does. It means developing, and promoting leadership among these communities and making them run, there is no other way around. Everything else is history. You are seeing right now the first step of that process. In the youth Congress we have been doing this for years. We understand how it is does very well. We have all the system to do it. We are going to implement and you are going to see the difference." Rahul Gandhi said.