Rahul Gandhi in Kerala

Rahul Gandhi takes part in Youth Congress padyatra in Kerala
Thiruvananthapuram: Congress vice president Rahul Gandhi attended 'Yuva Kerala Yatra' in Kerala’s Kayamkulam on Monday. The rally is being organised by state's Youth Congress. Rahul Gandhi arrived at the venue in the afternoon and travelled with the yare for a short distance by foot.

Rahul Gandhi arrived at Kochi airport in the afternoon and soon proceeded to Alappuzha to join the Kerala Yatra organised by the Youth Congress in the state. The Congress Vice-President, who came to participate in the ‘Yuva Kerala Yatra’ campaign, led by state Youth Congress president Dean Kuriakose, dropped in at a Primary health the centre located between Kochi and Alappuzha and spent about half-an-hour there. At the Community health Centre at Thuravoor, Rahul Gandhi interacted with the locals there. When he reached there, polio distribution was in progress and he immediately joined the campaign by giving polio drops to a baby. The Congress leader also had discussions with the ASHA volunteers there.

The Congress leader also lavished praise on the universal public health care system in Kerala, terming it as ‘one of the best in the country’. "Your health care system is reputed in India and outside. What is the secret behind it?," he asked hospital authorities. Rahul Gandhi also lauded the services rendered by nurses from the state not only in different parts of India but also in many foreign countries.
From the primary health Centre he proceeded to Kayamkulam and joined the yatra there. Huge number of Congress workers was assembled there to greet their favourite leader. Several top Congress leaders in the state were also accompanied him. Rahul Gandhi travelled on foot with the Yatra for some distance and later took an open jeep. He also jumped to the crowd to interact with the locals. A big crowd of local people also were present on both sides of the road to have a glimpse of the young Congress leader.



Rahul Gandhi was received at Nedumbassery airport near Kochi by Union Minister Vayalar Ravi, State Home Minister Ramesh Chennithala and other party leaders.
The yatra was flagged off last month and will cover the distance between Kasargod and Thiruvananthapuram. The 'Yuva Kerala Yatra' highlighting slogans of secularism and non-violent society, was inaugurated by KPCC president and state Home Minister Ramesh Chennithala.

Rahul Gandhi hold meeting with young achievers in Bangalore on Congress manifesto

Bangalore: Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi met the youngsters in Bangalore to seek their suggestions on party manifesto for the upcoming Lok Sabha polls. The congress leader commented that though the Congress has been trying their best to serve the people, but is not good at marketing, unlike opposition parties.

"Our opposition markets better, works less. We work more but aren't good at marketing," said Rahul Gandhi during a interactive session at the National Congress' Consultation for the National Youth and Students' Manifesto. “Congress was the only party that could take every Indian together - rich, poor, Hindu or Muslim”, said the Congress vice-president addressing session which was attended by young Indians from varied backgrounds, including students, professionals, innovators, activists, researchers, artists and panchayat representatives.

Rahul Gandhi added that the fundamental reason for inadequate space for the youth in politics was the process of selecting candidates. "The fundamental reason why there is inadequate space for the youth in politics is that the process of entry and promotion are not transparent. The real problem is the process of selecting candidates," he said.  "Does any party ask the people who the candidate from their area should be?" asked the congress Member of Parliament from Amethi.

Rahul Gandhi stressed that bringing about a change involved creating institutions and processes that empower people. "Building systems takes time, it is not easy as it looks," he said. The Congress leader further said that the true empowerment needs to be sustainable and long-term. "Short term empowerment is in fact disempowerment," he said. Rahul Gandhi said the country needs to open up higher education system and link it to the industrial system, NGO system and various other systems.

Responding to a comment of a a participant from West Bengal on the atrocities against women, Rahul Gandhi said one of the biggest problems in the country is the lack of power women have and the way they are treated. "If I want to bring about one change, it would be the empowerment of women," he quipped. Rahul Gandhi also commented that  true governance is that which provides dignity and respect to people and ensures their voices are heard.
This was the third consultation held by Congress to secure suggestions for its manifesto for the 2014 Lok Sabha elections.

Rahul Gandhi: Selection of Congress candidates for the Lok Sabha polls will reflect people’s voice

Rahul Gandhi: Selection of candidates will be based on voice of people
New Delhi: Congress vice president Rahul Gandhi informed that the selection of party candidates will be through a new process which will take into account the voice of the people and will be completed before the deadline.
During a brief interaction with the media persons, Rahul Gandhi said, "For the first time, we are working on a deadline, getting voices of people into the party systematically". "The ticket distribution will be done by a new process. Discussions have been taking place within our party for a long time. We are doing this with a formal structure," he added.
To finalise the Congress candidates for the upcoming Lok Sabha polls, Congress has constituted screening committees for all states and Union Territories. In the first meeting of the Chairmen of these screening committees, Rahul Gandhi underlined the importance of giving prominence to common people in decision making in political processes including deciding candidates. The Congress vice-president is impressed upon the broad parameters of candidate selection like no criminal record against them and an experience of right kind of politics along with winnability.
The meetings of the screening committees to select candidates will begin soon after the January 17 AICC meeting in Delhi. With Rahul Gandhi keen on early declaration of candidates for Lok Sabha polls, the party is understood to have decided to come out with a list of 150 to 200 nominees by the end of this month.
Lok Sabha elections are likely to be held in April-May and the decision will give at least three months time to the candidates to prepare for the elections.