Rahul Gandhi: My idea of Make In India and PM Modi's is very different.

Congress Vice President Rahul Gandhi was addressing the 31st plenary session of Indian National Trade Union Congress (INTUC). Accusing the Prime Minister of waging a war on the labour class, Rahul asserted that the government, which should be neutral, has deserted the labourers and is trying its level best to bring them down on their knees by reducing their basic security and necessities. I want to see you in Lok Sabha, Rajya Sabha, panchayats, nagar palika, mantri mandal.

Rahul Gandhi at Kukshi (MP) questions BJP’s development claims in the state

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Kukshi: Congress Vice President Rahul Gandhi while addressing a huge election rally at Kukshi in poll bound Madhya Pradesh slammed BJP and asked what development BJP is talking about in the state where the rate of poverty is the highest as per UN report. “BJP has money to serve the elite people, but they do not have money for the poor. That is what happening in MP. UN report says poverty is the highest in MP, the percentage is equal to some African countries. About 1 lakh infants died here. What development BJP is talking about?”

Rahul Gandhi Speaks at Congress rally in Sagar (Madhya Pradesh)

Congress Vice President Rahul Gandhi reached Sagar in Madhya Pradesh to address an election rally.He was given a warm welcome by the congress workers and leaders.

Rahul Gandhi in Churu (Rajasthan) says he is not afraid of getting killed Part 02

Churu (Rajasthan): Congress Vice President Rahul Gandhi on Wednesday addressed a mammoth election rally at Churu in Rajasthan and slammed Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) for igniting communal fire in the country for its narrow political gains. "What does BJP do? They spark communal fire whether it is in Muzaffarnagar, Gujarat, UP, Kashmir or elsewhere. Then we have to go to the people to put the fire out. This is harmful for our country. My grandmother and father were assassinated and tomorrow I also may get killed; but I just don't care" said the Congress Vice President and the huge crowd acknowledged it with loud applauds. "BJP spreads divisive ideology for its narrow political gains. I had gone to Muzaffarnagar. I interacted with both Muslims and Hindus. I could see myself in them. I was seeing my face in their tears. I want all Indians live together, fight together and die together" he continued.

Rahul Gandhi in Churu (Rajasthan) says he is not afraid of getting killed Part 01

Churu (Rajasthan): Congress Vice President Rahul Gandhi on Wednesday addressed a mammoth election rally at Churu in Rajasthan and slammed Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) for igniting communal fire in the country for its narrow political gains. "What does BJP do? They spark communal fire whether it is in Muzaffarnagar, Gujarat, UP, Kashmir or elsewhere. Then we have to go to the people to put the fire out. This is harmful for our country. My grandmother and father were assassinated and tomorrow I also may get killed; but I just don't care" said the Congress Vice President and the huge crowd acknowledged it with loud applauds. "BJP spreads divisive ideology for its narrow political gains. I had gone to Muzaffarnagar. I interacted with both Muslims and Hindus. I could see myself in them. I was seeing my face in their tears. I want all Indians live together, fight together and die together" he continued.

Rahul Gandhi strikes chord with the huge crowd in Churu (Rajhjasthan); slams BJP

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Churu (Rajasthan): Congress Vice President Rahul Gandhi on Wednesday addressed a mammoth election rally at Churu in Rajasthan and slammed Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) for igniting communal fire in the country for its narrow political gains. “What does BJP do? They spark communal fire whether it is in Muzaffarnagar, Gujarat, UP, Kashmir or elsewhere. Then we have to go to the people to put the fire out. This is harmful for our country. My grandmother and father were assassinated and tomorrow I also may get killed; but I just don’t care” said the Congress Vice President and the huge crowd acknowledged it with loud applauds.

Rahul Gandhi in Churu recalls assassination of Indira Gandhi and Rajiv Gandhi; slams BJP's politics of hate

Churu (Rajasthan): Congress Vice President Rahul Gandhi on Wednesday addressed a mammoth election rally at Churu in Rajasthan and slammed Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) for igniting communal fire in the country for its narrow political gains.

During my last speeches in Madhya Pradesh I had talked about my mother and the incident of her falling sick during the debate of Food Security Bill in the Parliament. Normally people do not talk about such personal things during election time. When I went back to Delhi, my mother asked me why I talked about her in a public speech. She told me not talk to talk about her in future and told me to talk about myself, instead. So today I want to do that; talking about myself.

Wherever I go, I talk about development, riots and other matters, but normally do not talk anything personal. When I was coming here, one of our leaders told me about the visit of Rajiv Gandhi to Rajasthan. He told me that Rajiv ji visited here on 1987 October, 31st. I wondered as I knew that it was never possible that he had visited Rajasthan on that particular date because as all of you know, it was on October 31st, my grand mother was assassinated. In fact, Rajiv Gandhi had visited here on Aug 31. I used to attack BJP for its divisive politics for spreading hatred among Hindus and Muslims. But I never told you why I was doing so. Today I am going to tell you about it.

When myself and Priyanka were kids, my father was very strict and we were scared of him. For me, it was my grandmother, who used to protect me on many occasions.. For example, I did not like palak sabji. But my father used to put the dish in front of me and I am supposed to have it. What my grandmother used to do was, she would spread open the news paper in front of my father, blocking his vision from me. I used to shift the palak sabji from my plate to grandma’s using the opportunity. That was my relation with my grandma.

She was the Prime Minister of the country and that time I never knew what power a Prime Minister possesses; for me she was just my grandmother.  There was an assistant for grandmamma named Nathuram. Everyone was scared of my grandma, but I was not, as she was my protector.  Sometimes, Nathguram used to come to me and to know my grandma’s mood... and i used to tell him whether her mood was good or bad.

I also had two-three friends there; they used to look after my grandma. Their names were Satwant Singh, Beant Singh, Kehar Singh and Balbir Singh. I was very close to them; one of them had taught me how to play badminton. They also helped me in my warm up exercises. In fact I had trusted them.

One day when I was on my routine morning walk in the garden, Beant Singh had come to me and asked me where does my grandma sleep? I felt that question a bit disturbing. I did not like that question from him. I did not give him proper answer as I smelled something fishy in that.  He also asked me whether I was happy with the security arrangements of my grandma; he also gave me some safety tips to escape from any sudden attack.

I had forgotten about that and very later only I recollected those. Then I realised that Satwant Singh and Beant Singh had planned earlier also, prior to her assassination, to kill my grandma during a Deepawali. You all know what had happened after that. My grandma was assassinated and many of my Sikh brothers sitting in front me know what all took place during that time.

I lost my grandma. I still remember, I was in school and was in a geography class. Someone from my house came to my school and wanted to take me back home. When I telephoned to my house, I heard the servant maid was screaming. I asked whether there is anything wrong with my parents. She said everything alright with them. Then asked about my grandmother and without saying anything she put the phone down. When  I asked my security persons about my grandma they told me that though she had received bullets, she was fine. I felt terribly worried. It was like my heart had been torn apart. My legs were trembling. I picked up Priyanka also from her school and both of us went home.

When I reached home, I saw blood of grandma at one room and the blood of my ‘friends’ in other room. I was angry with my said ‘friends’ Beant Singh and Satwant Singh for a long time.  It took me long – about 10-15 years- to free myself from that anger. My anger came down as I later understood that those people were blind with anger. They were very angry. Today, I also know that, the anger inside my Sikh brothers also has come down.

It takes a long time to get rid of the anger. To become angry is very easy but to control it takes time to douse it.  Few days back, a MLA from Punjab had come to meet me.  He told me he feels so elated to sit with me in my room. When I asked him why he said so, he replied that he would have killed me if he had met me before 20 years because he was angry that time.

Why I am telling you this now, you may wonder. No one gets angry so easily. In fact people provoke them and make them angry. Some political parties do so and that is why I am against BJP’s politics. They spread divisive ideology for their narrow political gains. I had gone to Muzaffarnagar. I interacted with both Muslims and Hindus. I could see myself in them.  I was seeing my face in their tears. I want all Indians live together, fight together and die together.

What does BJP do? They spark communal fire whether it is in Muzaffarnagar, Gujarat, UP, Kashmir or elsewhere.  Then we have to go to the people to put the fire out. This is harmful for our country. My grandmother and father were assassinated and tomorrow I also may get killed; but I just don’t care.
This was what I wanted to tell you and now I want to tell you something about Rajasthan and Gehlot Ji.

One gets angry when he is hungry. Women get worried if their children do not get sufficient food. The youth get angry if they fail to secure a job. We understand it. That is why we initiated granting rights to the people like Right to Job and Right to food. We gave right to job to address the issue of unemployment. Food Security Bill ensures you food grain at Rs. 1 per kg.  We enacted this law to eradicate hunger from our country.

Congress party has initiated a politics of granting people’s right in its past 9 years’ rule. We also enacted Land Acquisition Bill to benefit the farmers as well as the labourers working in those lands.

We know there is hunger in our Country. There are rich and poor sections in India. We need a partnership - the poor and rich need to join hands and take the country forward. Without enterprises, industrial units we can not move ahead. 
BJP talks about roads but Congress built three times more roads than them. We not only constructed roads but also gave the rights to job and food to the poor.
I also want to tell you something about Churu. PCC President was saying that this place suffers from both the highest and the lowest temperatures. There are issues of water scarcity also here and we have therefore extended the Indira Gandhi canal to this place.

 Gehlot Ji has done some tremendous works for the welfare of the people here like improvement in electricity, pension schemes for senior citizens, and free medicines for the poor including for animals.  His government here wants to take everyone along in the process of dev elopement.  We believe in inclusive growth.
Since you want me to talk more, let me share some more thoughts with you. I want to tell you about the future and foresight as well.

I am not here just to win the elections.  I want to assure you that Churu is going to get more developmental projects and I am sure this will benefit the people here, especially the youth. I know that I made a long speech and since I am in good mood now, I want to continue it a bit more. The youth here may have to go to go to various places in our country and even abroad.

Majority of manufacturing takes place in China. Even if I check the mike here, I might see a ‘made in China’ label in it too. Major countries like USA, England, Japan, Italy want manufacturing be taken place in China or elsewhere. India also can be a good option. We are improving infrastructure across the country including your Churu. Churu will soon have more factories in the near future. The youth here will not only get jobs but also will have opportunity to go abroad and will make India proud.

We need partnership to achieve this too. We need to build up a healthy partnership of the poor and the rich –a partnership of the farmers, workers and the government.

We need to reform the existing political system also in the coming 10 years. Today the doors of our system are closed for the common people and all decisions are being taken by a handful of people in all parties. You all have mobiles phone in your pockets – thanks to Rajiv Ji. Similarly, I want the keys of political decisions also in the pockets of our youth.

 Positive changes will take place in all political parties after 2014. Take it from me. All parties will be forced to do so. Thank you.

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Rahul Gandhi in Aligarh kicks-starts Congress campaign; slams opposition

Aligarh: Congress Vice President Rahul Gandhi kick started his party’s campaign for the upcoming Lok Sabha polls by addressing a mammoth rally in Uttar Pradesh’s Aligarh.

How is the Government is functioning here in UP? Are you getting any benefits? Are the lap tops supplied by the state Government working? Are the people here getting employment? The ruling party here had made a number promises? Did they deliver on it?

Yesterday I addressed people in Delhi. Before that I was in Gujarat and I had an interaction with the media. The press persons asked me about my comment on the Ordinance (on convicted lawmakers). 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?

Do you remember, few years back, some farmers were killed here in Aligarh. When there were agitations were going on at Bhatta-Parsaul, there were similar strikes in Aligarh too. We came to you and joined you in your battle. When farmers were killed here, we promised that we would protect them.

When the state Govt acquired lands of the poor farmers, they never sought your consent. But whenever the lands of rich people were to be acquired, the government gave proper market price for their lands. But no one asked the poor farmers when the government acquired their lands. This was the situation. I promised that Congress will fight with you and surely win it.

It took time, but the promise was fulfilled. We fought and we made sure that the Bill was passed. The opposition tried to play all tricks to block this Bill; they sent it to the Standing Committee; but finally the Bill was passed by the Parliament and I want to tell you clearly that the farmers in Aligarh will be the biggest beneficiaries.

We have done more. We run a government at the Centre which gives rights to the people. The people of UP is having a government of ‘computers’; but the computers do not work; there is no electricity.

We gave the people their right to job. This benefitted crores of people in our country. Now we have implemented the right to food. We are going to provide the entire poor in the country with food grains at Rs. 1 per kg. There are lots of labourers here; they work hard every day and are worried whether they and their children would be able to have proper food next day. But, now, not only tomorrow, but your kids will get food every day.  This is the guarantee of the Congress Party.

But, what is happening in Uttar Pradesh? When we, the Congress Government, guarantees 35kg of food grains every month to the poor, across the country, the state government in Uttar Pradesh says that it would not implement this important scheme here in UP till 2014 elections. They are afraid that if it implements food security law brought in by the Congress in UP, the people in large numbers will vote for the Congress party and the ruling party here will face a huge defeat.

So, I want to tell you to pressurise the state government in UP; because now it is your right to get good. The Congress government at the Centre has given you right to food and the entire people in UP must be able to avail its benefit. So you must demand it from the state government; this is your fight; this is the fight of the Congress party too.  You will have to take this battle ahead to ensure your rights in UP like you did it Bhatta-Parsaul.  Are you ready for it? No one in Uttar Pradesh should live hungry.  Food is your right; Congress party has ensured it; now you must ensure that you have it here in Uttar Pradesh. The youth here must play a leading role in this battle because only they can transform UP.  SP or BSP cannot help you in this regard. Only Congress can do it.

The Congress party had promised you that we will form a government which works for aam aadmi, the poor, the youth and the women; we delivered it in 2004, 2009 and we are going to repeat it in 2014. We will continue with our efforts to grant the people their rights like the way gave you right to job, right to food and right to education.

Before concluding, I want to tell you something about Muzaffarnagar riots. Hindus and Muslims died in the riots..I spoke to both communities, they told me, there is no anger between them. Politicians have created this rift.  They told me that the riots were orchestrated by the people who want to divide people. The riot was the handiwork of some people who indulge in divisive politics with an aim to reap narrow political gains. Muzaffarnagar riots caused because of political forces

Common people do not want to fight, they want to live peacefully, and earn a living. There are some people who believe that they cannot win polls without creating riots. They, therefore, want to create Hindu-Muslim divide. I want to tell these people that Hindustan has a rich tradition of unity in diversity. We want everyone – whether Hindu, Muslim, Sikhs or whatever- to live in harmony. We will never allow anyone to divide us or to destroy the peace. This is the history of Congress.

Congress treats everyone equally. That is why we put in our efforts to grant people their rights. We never serve people looking at their caste or religion. We believe in inclusive growth. 

UP is regressing because political forces make you fight amongst yourselves. Some persons try to create Hindu-Muslim divide. This state will progress only if the people talk about unity and development. Only Congress party can do so and we will do it with your support.  We will fight for Uttar Pradesh and its people.

Thank you.

See More:- Rahul Gandhi

Rahul Gandhi speaks on the occasion of Dalit Adhikar Diwas at Talkatora Stadium, New Delhi

Congress Vice President Rahul Gandhi addressed a National Conference on Dalit Adhikar Diwas organised by All India Valmiki Federation at Talkatora Stadium in New Delhi on Tuesday. The conference discussed among other things, the abolition of manual scavenging and new proposals for the welfare of Dalits. Rahul Gandhi explained the government schemes for the empowerment of Dalits and appealed them to join hands with Congress.

Rahul Gandhi's press conference in New Delhi on Govt's Ordinance on convicted lawmakers

Congress Vice President Rahul Gandhi while addressing the media persons at Press Club, New Delhi said that in his opinion the Central Government's Ordinance on convicted MPs and MLAs is wrong and is a nonsense. "In my opinion, the Ordinance must be torn up and thrown away" said Rahul Gandhi.

Rahul Gandhi in pune pays floral tribute to Chhatrapati Shivaji.

Congress Vice President Rahul Gandhi in pune pays floral tribute to Chhatrapati Shivaji.he is on two day visit to Maharashtra to interact with congress leaders and party workers at district levels in the state.

Rahul Gandhi in Nagpur (Maharashtra)

Congress vice president Rahul Gandhi reached Nagpur to interact With party leaders and workers.He is on a two-day visit to Maharashtra from Tuesday.

Rahul Gandhi hands over freehold rights in 45 resettlement colonies in Delhi

Congress Vice President Rahul Gandhi on Tuesday gave away the certificates conferring freehold rights to residents of 45 resettlement colonies in Delhi, which were developed almost 50 years ago. Around seven lakh families will be benefited by the government decision.

While praising the Sheila Dixit government in Delhi, Rahul Gandhi said “Nation knows about Delhi's infrastructure, this has been done by Congress, without Congress, this wouldn't have happened." “But this ongoing development will not be complete, till its benefits reach the people. Unless there is improvement in the living standards of the poor people, we cannot claim that the development is complete and that is what, we, the Congress Government has been trying to do,” added the Congress MP.

"Whole country knows Congress government has built many flyovers, better roads and also the metro system in Delhi.. .People in the villages aspire to one day work and live in Delhi, we want to fulfil those dreams," said Rahul Gandhi amid thunderous applause from the audience.

“If these flyovers are made, who has made them? If these roads are built, who has constructed them? Those living in the jhuggi jhopdi colonies (shanty towns) and resettlement colonies have done it, they have invested their blood and sweat in this” said Rahul Gandhi while striking an emotional chord with the gathering and the crowd greeted his statement with loud applauds.

Rahul Gandhi also explained the benefits of Congress-led UPA government’s historic Food Security Bill and slammed those who oppose it. "Opposition says we are wasting money by going in for Food Security, but I say giving food to people isn't wasting money," asserted the Congress leader. "Earlier people talked about development but we now talk about rights...we have raised the issue of people's right to get food," he added. “People now talk about corruption. It was the Congress which brought in the important legislation – RTI- which empowers citizens to gather any information regarding the government functioning. Similarly, Congress implemented Right to job through MNREGA” said Rahul Gandhi and added “We want to ensure the rights of the people. We want the poor in the country become self reliant.”  

Rahul Gandhi also said that when foreigners visit us they are amazed by the schemes implemented by the Congress Government. “They're surprised to see right to employment & food," said the Congress Vice President. Rahul Gandhi then focussed the people to whom he awarded the ownership rights and said “We understand your contribution in developing Delhi and we value your efforts. I want to assure you that, whatever may happen, we will never ever forget you”.
The resettlement colonies are situated in different parts of the city including Sriniwaspuri, Wazirpur, Satya Niketan, Janakpuri, Pankha Road and Madangir.  Union Urban Development Ministry had given its approval for granting freehold rights to the residents of the resettlement colonies. These colonies were developed in 1970s and people putting up there have been finding it difficult to effect transfer of title as free hold rights were not offered yet. There are 45 resettlement colonies in the city, which are home to lakhs of people. Last year Congress president Sonia Gandhi had issued provisional certificates of regularisation to unauthorised colonies.

Rahul Gandhi addresses the function to hand over ownership rights in Delhi resettlement colonies

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Congress Vice President Rahul Gandhi on Tuesday gave away the certificates conferring freehold rights to residents of 45 resettlement colonies in Delhi, which were developed almost 50 years ago. Around seven lakh families will be benefited by the government decision. The resettlement colonies are situated in different parts of the city including Sriniwaspuri, Wazirpur, Satya Niketan, Janakpuri, Pankha Road and Madangir. Union Urban Development Ministry had given its approval for granting freehold rights to the residents of the resettlement colonies. These colonies were developed in 1970s and people putting up there have been finding it difficult to effect transfer of title as free hold rights were not offered yet. There are 45 resettlement colonies in the city, which are home to lakhs of people. Last year Congress president Sonia Gandhi had issued provisional certificates of regularisation to unauthorised colonies.

Rahul Gandhi’s tough message to Congress leaders – ‘Zero tolerance to groupism'

Congress Vice President Rahul Gandhi warned Congress leaders against any act of groupism within the party and also told the leaders that coordination and cooperation is the key to success.

In his first formal interaction with newly-appointed party office-bearers Rahul Gandhi categorically asserted that accountability will follow responsibility.

At a time when series of assembly polls are going to take place apart from Lok Sabha elections by May next, the Congress Vice President said that the  Congress party set up should project a picture of a united family where the young give respect to elders and draw from their experience. Rahul Gandhi said the Congress leaders should prepare a roadmap for the states under their charge and the secretaries should visit the district and block levels as per the plan.

The Congress leader who has frequently talked about the system being closed to youngsters, asked the leaders to help open it up. Congress general secretaries, who had in earlier meetings with Gandhi, complained of not having been given adequate responsibilities, have been given the charge this time and they will have to do lot of touring of the states. Seeking to put the house in order, Gandhi said factionalism is detrimental to the party’s interests and should be shunned.

Rahul Gandhi also chose the occassion to flag the issue of inadequate representation to women in the AICC and other party wings. “Rahul Gandhi talked about how to ensure 50 percent representation to women in AICC…It’s not about reservation. It’s about their representation. When he observed that their (women) presence is not in the proportion it should be, he said the presence of women is less but it will definitely be 50 per cent in the coming two-three years,” party spokesperson Bhakta Charan Das told reporters after the meeting.

Rahul Gandhi warns Congress leaders against groupism

New Delhi: Congress Vice President Rahul Gandhi, while interacting with the newly elected office bearers of the party on Saturday, warned the Congress leaders against groupism and said that coordination and cooperation is the key to success.

Rahul Gandhi told them in no uncertain terms that accountability will follow responsibility. He also felt there was something amiss in the functioning of the outgoing party set-up. With a series of assembly polls due this year and Lok Sabha elections by May next, Rahul Gandhi said the Congress should project a picture of a united family where the young give respect to elders and draw from their experience. He said the general secretaries should prepare a roadmap for the states under their charge and the secretaries should visit the district and block levels as per the plan.

The Congress vice president, who has frequently talked about the system being closed to youngsters, asked the leaders to help open it up. AICC secretaries, who had in earlier meetings with Rahul Gandhi, complained of not having been given adequate responsibilities, have been given the charge this time and they will have to do lot of touring of the states. The young Congress MP said factionalism is detrimental to the party's interests and should be shunned.

Rahul Gandhi also chose the occasion to flag the issue of inadequate representation to women in the AICC and other party wings. The Congress leader assured that in two-three years, 50 percent of the office-bearers will be women.

A surprise visit by Rahul Gandhi at a workshop of women sanitary workers

New Delhi: Congress Vice-President Rahul Gandhi has done it again. He had surprised many on earlier occasions with his unscheduled, sudden visit to poor villages, spending nights at their huts and sharing their meals. And on last Thursday the young Congress leader paid a surprise visit to a workshop of women sanitary staff.

Rahul Gandhi was not among the participants at the day-long 'National Workshop on Awareness of Rights and Upliftment of Women Safai Karamchari', yet he chose to attend it to directly get a feeling of the participants. Some of the women attended, told Rahul Gandhi that he will not get 'Dalit' votes unless he works for them to which the Congress Vice President boldly said he did not care for votes but was interested in their welfare.

The Congress leader also assured the workers that the Congress-led UPA government at the Centre was committed to abolishing the "inhuman" practice of manual scavenging. "It was an impromptu interaction and some women did ask questions which had nothing to do with the workshop. But they were very happy to talk to him and it was all very pleasant," an official present there said.

The woman sanitary staff welcomed RahulGandhi’s assurance for abolishing manual scavenging and taking up their other concerns, which he said had brought him there to listen to them."We are very sensitive to your problems and need and will do our utmost to help you," Rahul Gandhi said. When quizzed about the presence of manual scavenging in different parts of the country, he said such practice could not be allowed in 21st century.

Officials said they had no knowledge of Rahul Gandhi's visit to the workshop and learnt about it in the afternoon when SPG officials arrived to put in place required security arrangements. The one-day workshop was inaugurated by Social Justice and Empowerment Minister Kumari Selja.

Progressive vision:Congress Vice President Rahul Gandhi for 50 percent representation to women in AICC

After taking over as the Congress Vice President, Rahul Gandhi has been putting his efforts to strengthen the party. He has been visiting all the states, interact with the Congress leaders and curiously listen to their opinions and suggestions. Further, he always believed that the political system can be cleansed only if more and more young people join politics. He has been gradually implementing in the Congress party by inducting more young leaders at the organisational leadership making it a blend of youth and experienced. And, now Rahul Gandhi has started his next initiative, a move with progressive vision, to ensure adequate women participation in the party.

The young Congress Vice President on Saturday vowed to ensure 50 per cent representation to women in All India Congress Committee (AICC) and other party outfits as he held his first formal interaction with newly-appointed party office bearers. "Rahul Gandhi talked about how to ensure 50 per cent representation to women in AICC...It's not about reservation. It's about their representation. "When he observed that their (women) presence is not in the proportion it should be, he said the presence of women is less but it will definitely be 50 per cent in the coming two-three years," Congress Bhakta Charan Das told reporters after the meeting.

Ambika Sonia is the only women among the 12 AICC general secretaries, while of the 44 secretaries only five are women.Rahul Gandhi also made it clear to the office bearers that those who have been given responsibility will also be held accountable. As the reshuffled AICC now wears a younger look with 52 being the average age of office bearers, the Congress Vice President  also chose the occasion to remind the party leaders that youths should move forward by respecting seniors and taking the help of their experience. Rahul Gandhi’s statement signals that senior leaders won't be overlooked.

Yes, with his moves with clear intention the Congress Party is surging ahead and his new policies have boosted the confidence of party cadres and supporters and all in the Congress now hopes that the party will perform well and Congress-led UPA will retain power at the Centre for the consecutive third term.

Rahul Gandhi: Chhattisgarh Naxal strike an attack on democracy

Congress convoy was an attack on democracy. "This is not an attack on the Congress workers or on the Congress party. It is an attack on the ideals of India, founded on the bedrock of non-violence," said Rahul Gandhi.

"No force, howsoever brutal, can deter us through violent means. Our nation shall never be deterred from working for the welfare and well-being of all our people through peaceful, democratic and constitutional means," added the Congress leader. Responding to a question on the imposition of President's Rule in the state, the party vice president said: "It is not time to do politics here. It's a very sad incident and we all have to stand together."

A large number of Maoists Saturday attacked a Congress party convoy, blocking its way with felled trees, setting off a landmine blast and then opening fire in Sukma district. The attack left close to 30 people dead and 25 injured.

Among the dead were Leader of Opposition in the Chhattisgarh assembly Nand Kumar Patel, his son Dinesh Patel, former leader of opposition Mahendra Karma, Chhattisgarh Congress president Uday Mudaliyar and former legislator from Rajnandgaon Gopichand Madhwani.

Rahul Gandhi :Indira Gandhi is my role model

New Delhi: Congress Vice President Rahul Gandhi warnined the party leaders that he wouldn’t be would crack down on indiscipline. “Look at that photograph, the second one. She is my role model,” said Rahul Gandhi  pointing towards a picture of Indira Gandhi, at a meeting with Delhi leaders.

“I will not tolerate indiscipline. I will take tough action. I will punish those who act against the party’s interests,” he asserted. This is the sternest message to have come from the party vice-president after his polite endeavours over the past few months to curb internal squabbles almost drew a blank.

Rahul Gandhi signalled that he wouldn’t be blind to undisciplined leaders. “I don’t mind if our government goes out of power but I won’t tolerate factional conspiracies. My main aim is to strengthen the Congress and that can be done by the sincerity and hard work of the ordinary workers. There cannot be any compromise on the organisation,” said the Congress Vice President.

 “Heed my advice and come together to work for the party. Stop playing games within the party. I know what is happening. I know who does what, I am not the one who will turn a blind eye to all these,” he added.  In Delhi, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh and Rajasthan, where polls are due this year, factionalism is one of the problems in the Congress for long.

While interacting with the Delhi Congress leaders, Rahul Gandhi argued that CM Sheila Dikshit had been working tirelessly for 14-15 years and every Congress worker and leader should work to strengthen her hands. The Congress leader warned partymen and leaders who paid no heed to block party presidents. He said nobody with less than 70 per cent attendance in monthly meetings called by the presidents should expect election tickets.

However, the strong stand by the young Congress leader surely indicates one thing –Rahul Gandhi has begun to show his tough side.