Lok Sabha polls: Rahul Gandhi kick-starts campaign in Uttar Pradesh

Rahul Gandhi launches Congress campaign for Lok Sabha polls in UP
Lucknow: Congress Vice President Rahul Gandhi has launched his party’s Lok Sabha polls campaign in Uttar Pradesh. The Congress Member of Parliament from UP’s Amethi, Rahul Gandhi, paid obeisance at the dargah of renowned Sufi saint Haji Waris Ali Shah and held a road show in Barabanki on Friday.
The Congress leader arrived at Lucknow in the morning and held an informal interaction with editors and bureau chiefs of various media organisations. Later, he met aanganwadi workers and women self-help group members at a village on the outskirts of the state capital. During the meeting, he laid stress on women empowerment and promised to take up their problems.
After the meeting, the Congress Vice President left for the Deva Sharif dargah in Barabanki where he offered a 'chadar'. On the route to the dargah, Rahul Gandhi was accorded warm welcome at Mati and Gopalpur by activists of Congress' youth and student wings.
During the road show along, Congress workers and locals showered flowers on him. Excitement was visible specially in Barabanki town where youths gathered on both sides of the road to get a glimpse of their favourite leader.
At the railway station road and Lucknow-Faizabad road, Gram Rojgar Welfare Association and MNREGS Technical Assistant Welfare Association complained to him about non-payment of their honorarium. Rahul Gandhi patiently listened to the, received their memorandum, and assured them of necessary action. In Lajpatnagar locality, a Sikh dominated area in Barabanki city, some people tried to tie a turban on him but when they failed to do so due to security reasons, he took it and put it around his neck amidst cheers.
During his meeting with aanganwadi workers and self-help group members, Rahul Gandhi stressed that women empowerment was a must for the country's development and called upon them to identify their strength. "Women would have to identify their strength and become self reliant to improve the future of their families and the country," Rahul Gandhi said at Sarai Shekh village of Chinhat. The Congress Vice President pointed out that through self-help groups lakhs of women had found employment and were making important contribution to their family income. During the meeting, aanganwadi workers raised the issue of delay in payment of their honorarium. Promising help, Gandhi exhorted them to come forward and fight for their own cause.
On Saturday, he will hold a road show, address a public gathering and also will have an enteractive session with the rickshaw pullers at Varanasi Railway station.

Rahul Gandhi interacts with students in Assam, says we learn from failure, not from success

Rahul Gandhi interacts with students in Assam, says we learn from failure, not from success
Guwahati: Congress Vice President Rahul Gandhi, who is on a two-day visit to Assam, interacted with students from North East on Tuesday at Don Bosco University in Guwahati. "I see each one of you have a lot of will and will have immense potential”, he said.
The Congress vice-president also sought to assure the people of North- East migrating to other parts of the country for livelihood. Referring to the recent death of Arunachal Pradesh student Nido Taniam in Delhi over a trivial issue, Rahul Gandhi said “ignorance is the cause of what happened to Nido in Delhi.”
“People, generally, are not bad; but sometimes people get angry and act accordingly. When politicians come and say bad things it affects the citizens,” said Rahul Gandhi. Noting that he found inspiration in Mahatma Gandhi's ideologies, the Congress Vice President further said, “We have to tell people that they are a part of the country and are loved; anger needs to be eradicated."
“We need to give people the political power. I want students from Assam become MLAs, MPs, CM and PM. You are the future.. We must focus on connectivity; proposed corridors will benefit NE; we must focus on education for more development in NE... We can't solve all our problems in just few days; the solution to solve our issues is to empower our people” he said replying to various queries by the participants. “Compared to other countries, India is doing pretty well. We are the second fastest growing economy in the world," he told the gathering.
“Sometimes we forget how big our India is; it is growing faster than any other country” he said. On a question whether we should still continue with the system of reservation, Rahul Gandhi said, “The real problem is that there no sufficient seats in universities; if that is solved, the questions on reservation will end” and added, “There are still places in India, where one community is not allowed to fetch drinking water from wells used by high castes”.
On education, Rahul Gandhi commented, “Education system must be more student based; it should be connected to all spheres; it must have a good widen network.. We must reform our education system. It needs lots of changes to be made”.
“The single biggest problem in NE is the connectivity issue, whether by roads, trains or flights. This must be focussed on” said the Congress leader. “We have started to go to people to seek their opinion on Manifesto. No other party ever did so” said Rahul Gandhi.
Replying to another question on prevailing caste system, the Congress MP quipped, “If we empower people and give them proper space in politics, the casteism will end”. “People fight each other when there is communication gap.. if we listen each other, e chances for conflict is less” he commented.”
Stressing for the need of ensuring safety and equality for women, Rahul Gandhi said, “I come from a family where women are treated well. My father treated my sister and me the same way.. Why no one wants to talk about how & why women in India are insulted? How can we be a Super Power without equality? Women are suffering every day. Rape is an extreme manifestation. Girls are killed at birth.. We can never be a super power if our women do not feel safe in our country”.
“Women are more capable than men; they are more intelligent” said Rahul Gandhi amid big applauds from the participants. “Women should feel safe at anytime; 50% of our population is women; we want more women in Parliament, assemblies.. “ continued the Congress leader.
About North-East affairs, Rahul Gandhi said, “We can develop only if we are well connected; we need to improve on this at NE; we will give more attention to this”
When a girl from the gathering asked Rahul Gandhi, “Is it pen, gun or microphone that is most powerful weapon for change?” Rahul Gandhi immediately shot back, “It is the brain” and explained ”Even if we want to use a pen, gun or sword, we must have brain”.
“We must understand what do people really want; we must listen to them” he replied to another question, and added, “You have to look at other people, respect them; then only we can bring in changes”. “We have millions of people with different culture. That is our strength too. We unite when time demands, “ he said further.
Nothing can be built on anger, he reminded the students. “If someone is angry then we have to go to that person, talk to realise the issue”. “The first change in India that I want is the stable harmony amongst the people from different walks of life.. We don't want an India where one religion feels they are not safe in India, where women feel unsafe.. I believe in Mahatma Gandhi. Every conflict can be resolved with peace and brotherhood. Many of the conflicts take place because we don't empower people enough.. We can achieve success by love, affection and talking to people; that is what Gandhi ji taught us” said the Congress leader.
“The more power we give to the people, the youth, the less will be the conflicts” asserted Rahul Gandhi. “Assam back in peace because we involved people in discussions; and with their help we could achieve this” he said adding “Governance should be done by giving as many powers to the people”.
“Our systems don't serve the end-user. You have no input in your education. We have to build education system around you” he told the students. “Some politicians come here and make speeches and go back.. I am here to listen to you” he assured.
“To promote manufacturing, you have to promote entrepreneurship. We have to enable people like you to start something.. We can learn many things from failure; we actually can't learn much from success” suggested Rahul Gandhi.

Rahul Gandhi in Assam, interacts with Tribal groups in Guwahati

Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi, on the first day of his Assam visit, interacted with tribal leaders at Guwahati on Tuesday. The Congress leader further told tribal leaders that he wants to "include you all in our choice for candidates" for the Lok Sabha polls. "Not only your MLA but you can also choose you candidate for Lok Sabha polls," Rahul Gandhi said.

Rahul Gandhi in Assam: Mahatma Gandhi taught us that revolution is brought with peace

Rahul Gandhi in Assam: Leaders do not change the world, it is the people who make it possible

Guwahati: Congress Vice President Rahul Gandhi addressed a huge party rally in Guwahati as part of his campaign in Assam for the upcoming Lok Sabha polls
In a jibe at Bharatiya Janata Party and its prime ministerial candidate Narendra Modi, the Congress leader commented, “Nowadays, some leaders come to you and promise you that they would change the state and the world. But the fact is that it is the people who bring in changes. Leaders do not change the world, it is the people who change the world”. "What has been done in 70 years, BJP claims it can do in it in three months. This is a mockery of the people as what has happened in the last seven decades is because of the people”, he added.
“There are two types of leaders. The first type is those leaders who go to the people, mingle with them, listen to their issues and wish to give them more power. This is the way Congress thinks. And on the other side, there are leaders who snatch power from the people. I am not of that type. I do not want your power but want to give you more strength, instead. It is you, who must take our country forward. You have strength and the potential to do so” continued Rahul Gandhi.
Again in an indirect attack on BJP, the Congress Vice President said further, “Nowadays, some leaders come to you and promise you that they would change the state and the world. But the fact is that it is the people who bring in changes. Leaders do not change the world; it is the people who change the world” and also remarked, “Mahatma Gandhi taught us that revolution is brought with peace”. “Opposition talks about corruption but the most powerful and historical instrument against it in the form of RTI was given by our government. What was done in closed doors by bureaucrats can be known by any common citizen by filing an RTI” argued Rahul Gandhi.
Highlighting the achievements of the Congress-led UPA Government at the Centre, the Congress leader said, “We brought the Tribal bill for the adivasis. We fought with Vedanta at Niyamgiri and gave the lands back to the tribals. We fought for the farmers’ rights in Batta-Parsaul and enacted the Land Acquisition law. We waived-off the loans of the poor farmers worth Rs 60000 crores. We did all these with love and respect, not with anger. This has been our policy”.
“BJP wants to finish Congress. But they do not know that Congress is not a party, but it is an ideology which cannot be removed from the hearts and minds of the people. It is ideology to love each other, respect all. BJP talks of Hindutva but did not read Gita. The Gita talks of respecting all, working with love and not to be arrogant. The same has been said in Quran, Gurugranth Sahib” said the Congress Vice President and added, “This concept is years-old and no one can destroy this. Hindustan is like a Guldasta (bouquet) which has space for all. We must love all, respect all. It is the people who develop the nation.
Striking an emotional chord with women in the state, Rahul Gandhi continued, “We talk about Super power. Without empowering our women India can never be a super power. It will remain as half super power until then. In the next 5 years we will strengthen our steps to empower more women. We want 50% of the members in Lok Sabha, Rajya Sabha and Assemblies are women. We also want to empower the youth and want them at higher places”.
“We have nothing but you, the people, have everything – the strength, the knowledge and the power. Our duty is just give you opportunities, open up conditions and to empower you. ..We (Congress) believe in love, not in ager. That is what Assam teaches us”, concluded Rahul Gandhi.
Full text of the speech of Sh. Rahul Gandhi at a Congress rally in Guwahati, Assam

Rahul Gandhi interacts with Haryana farmers, says BJP thinks one man can run the country

Rahul Gandhi interacts with Haryana farmers, says BJP thinks one man can run the country
Congress Vice President Rahul Gandhi held an an interactive session in Haryana with local framers. He spoke on the rights and the opportunities that farmers need to be provided with in the country.
“What I have learnt here from you (farmers) is that I can never learn from bureaucrats.. We are trying to empower the common man, specially the farmers.. We will ensure that every citizen in this country has a right to health” said the Congress leader.
“You will should have an option, your sons should have an option if they want to do farming or not. You should have the same option that others have through service and manufacturing” he added..
“We want to empower farmers so that they have an option of other occupations as well. Our politics is about giving you an option and not about giving you an order. That is BJP's work” said Rahul Gandhi in a direct attack at BJP. “ Look at any party, they all talk about corruption. They only give speeches about corruption” he added.
The Congress Vice President also said that the Congress would ensure dedicated freight corridor and manufacturing corridor for farmers. “India is run by Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha. Everyone gets to vote once in five years. Those people who sit in the Vidhan sabha. Who elects them? Who selects them? You will think they are selected by you all. but that is not true. About 200-300 people select these representatives. Hooda ji, me: we do that. Why don't you people get to be a part of it?” continued the Congress leader.
“Congress doesn't play politics of caste and religion” asserted Rahul Gandhi. “There should be a day soon when we call for a meeting and I will be seeing fifty per cent women and fifty per cent men here” said the Congress Vice President striking a chord with the women.
Rahul Gandhi also took a dig at BJP’s prime ministerial candidate Narendra Modi and said, “You know what is the difference between BJP and us. We approach everyone for an opinion. BJP thinks one man can run the country, they think power should be centralized, but we think power must be given to people”.

Rahul Gandhi at Dehradun: Congress will never deviate from its pro-poor ideology

Rahul Gandhi at Congress rally in Dehardun says BJP wants to grab rights of the people
Dehradun: Congress vice president Rahul Gandhi on Sunday kick-started his party’s campaign for the upcoming Lok Sabha polls by addressing a mammoth party rally in Dehradun. While speaking on the occasion, he took on the BJP for its divisive politics and anti-people policies.
“The opposition (BJP) is not serious about people’s pain. They indulge in divisive tactics. While Congress wants to empower people, the opposition wants to grab people’s rights. Their aim is just to grab power by any means”, said Rahul Gandhi and also took a dig indirectly at BJP’s prime ministerial candidate Narendra Modi by commenting “They think that if they get PM post, all problems will be solved”.
He continued his attack on Modi and said, “I want to reiterate that we cannot move forward without empowering our women across the country. Wherever there is women empowerment we can see progress there. A BJP leader talks about development in Gujarat, but it developed because of the women there. I do not talk about myself. I do talk about women, youth and the poor. I stress for their empowerment. If we have developed that is because of the blood and sweat of the people and not due to any individual. He may be thinking that progress took place due to his efforts but he is wrong. It is the people who did it. Congress will use the power of the people to build the nation”.
Slamming BJP’s double-speak on corruption, the Congress leader said, “BJP talks loud on corruption. But it was the Congress which gave the nation the most powerful tool to fight corruption – the RTI. It was the Congress which brought Lokpal” and added “How is RTI functioning in Gujarat? They do not have proper RTI commissioners there. It took 9 years to have a Lokayukta in Gujarat. Even that Lokayukta is not powerful; it is highly under the control of a single person”.
Speaking on the flash floods that struck Uttarakhand last year causing major damage, Rahul Gandhi said, “When the state was under crisis, everyone in the country stood with it. Entire India was united to help Uttarakhand – Dalits, Adivasis, Sikhs, Hindus all were with you. I also saw the victims in Uttarakhand helping others. The people here have strength and potential. Though some handful of people indulged in divisive ideology, the people stood as one. I had just talked to your Chief Minister and he has assured that the reconstruction of the damaged infrastructure will be completed as early as possible and I am sure that the people will get its benefits soon. The Centre also had extended maximum help, sent Rs 7000 cr, to help flood-hit Uttarakhand”.
He also struck a chord with the Army. “Do you know who helped you the most? Not Rahul Gandhi, not the Central government but it was the Army. We can never forget it. I am grateful to them. We realise their strength and that is why their long pending demand for one-rank, one pension was approved by the Prime Minister and Sonia Ji” said the Congress Vice President amid cheers from the huge crowd.
“We must listen to the people, to realise their problems. That has been the policy of the Congress. There may be some setbacks but we will never go back from our ideology” asserted Rahul Gandhi.
Full text of the speech of Rahul Gandhi at Dehradun

Rahul Gandhi: I am saddened that Rajiv's killers are being set free

Rahul Gandhi asks if killers of an Ex-PM are being released, what justice common man can expect
Amethi/New Delhi: Congress Vice President Rahul Gandhi, who was on a visit to his parliamentary constituency Amethi on Wednesday, said he was sad over the decision of the Tamil Nadu government to release seven people convicted of killing his father and former prime minister Rajiv Gandhi.
"Rajiv Gandhi's killers are being set free, I am saddened by this. I am personally against the death penalty but this is not about my father. If a Prime Minister's killers are being released, what kind of justice should the common man expect?" Rahul Gandhi asked, hours after the Jayalalithaa government announced that all the convicts would be freed, a politically significant decision ahead of the national election, due by May.
The convicts have been in jail for 23 years. One of them, Nalini Sriharan, was granted mercy in 2000 on the intervention of Rahul Gandhi's mother and Rajiv Gandhi's widow, Congress President Sonia Gandhi.
The Supreme Court on Tuesday spared three of the convicts, Nalini's husband Murugan, Santhan and Perarivalan, from execution, citing the 11-year delay in a decision on their mercy plea, and left it to the Tamil Nadu government to release them. Chief Minister Jayalalithaa acted fast, and gave the Centre three days to respond to her decision, after which, she said, she would invoke her own powers to free the convicts. Shortly after Rahul Gandhi's comments, the Congress party officially denounced the Jayalalithaa government's decision, calling it "irresponsible, perverse and populist."
Rajiv Gandhi was assassinated by a woman operative of the Lankan Tamil separatist outfit LTTE, who greeted the Congress leader with a sandalwood garland and a bomb strapped to her chest during a rally in 1991. "Our grief arises out of the fact that Rajiv Gandhi was killed brutally. It's the decision of the Supreme Court... I am neither happy nor unhappy," union minister P Chidambaram, who is from Tamil Nadu, told NDTV. "I do not see this as cynical politics."
All India Congress Committee on Wednesday issued a formal statement condemning the state's move. The statement read, "The Congress Party condemns the decision of the Tamil Nadu cabinet to release the seven convicts charged of the assassination of former Prime Minster Shri Rajiv Gandhi and 17 other individuals by executing a barbaric and gruesome terrorist bombing act." AICC General Secretary Ajay Maken rebuked the decision saying that it would set a precedent for other states to take decisions beyond the law. Indicating that the Tamil Nadu Assembly's decision to free the convicts was a politically motivated one, Maken said in the statement, "It would by all means only serve as a precedent for other Chief Ministers constitutional functionaries to take decisions beyond the law- decisions that are politically motivated and irresponsible."

Rahul Gandhi addresses women rally in Karnataka

Rahul Gandhi addresses women rally in Karnataka, stresses for more women participation in politics

 Congress Vice President Sh. Rahul Gandhi, who is on a two-day visit to Karnataka, addressed an all women rally in Tumkur. While addressing the rally he stressed for increased women participation in politics. Rahul Gandhi also slammed the BJP and said there is no space for women in it.
Rahul Gandhi began his speech by remembering Balavani Velamma ji and Chittoor Rani Chinnamma ji. He also said that India can never become a super power if we do not empower the women in the country. "We can only be half-super power till we ensure women empowerment", said the Congress vice President.
“I go to every state in India and I realise that wherever women are empowered there is development. This is the major difference between those states and other states. Wherever women are uplifted, there is progress and wherever women are being suppressed development not talking place," Rahul Gandhi said.
He also highlighted various policies and schemes implemented by the Congress-led UPA government at the centre. “Central government has done a lot for women. We have introduced the women reservation bill in the parliament and we will try to pass it. We want to bring women in the parliament. We have implemented 50% reservation through Panchayati Raj and that will be beneficial for you", he added.
“Our schemes whether it’s MNREGA, Right to information and Food security bill, all are aimed to empower women. We have passed a strict law against rape. We want to give you security with respect. We want to build nation from your power.” Rahul Gandhi continued.
The Congress leader further said he wants more women contest elections and their faces must be seen in Lok Sabha, Vidhan Sabha and Panchayat and entire India must feel their strength.
He stressed for the need to bring more women into the Congress party. “We need to utilize your power and knowledge.” Rahul Gandhi concluded his speech.
Full text of Speech of Rahul Gandhi at Tumkur (Karnataka)

Rahul Gandhi in Bhubaneswar interacts with students

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Congress Vice President Rahul Gandhi interacts with students at Bhubaneswar in Odisha. He also had visited the site of boat mishap in the state. Rahul Gandhi is on two day visit in Odisha.

Rahul Gandhi blames BJD Government for bad state of affairs in Odisha

Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi on Sunday took on the Odisha Government by saying it is not letting the benefits of central schemes trickle down to the people and siding with the mining mafia. Addressing a rally at Salepur in Odisha's Cuttack district, Rahul Gandhi said, “Odisha says Centre doesn't send money for the state. But no government has allotted as much money as we did to Odisha in five years. Odisha government hasn’t utilized 5 crore rupees that we have sent”.
At a time when the opposition parties in the state including the Congress are vocal against an alleged large-scale mining scam, Rahul Gandhi blamed Naveen Patnaik's government for not maintaining a clean sheet on the issue and said, “We fought for the tribals in Niyamgiri to get their lands back..We have given their rights in lands back which they deserved. We want to repeat the same in the Odisha. Odisha is a rich state, but people are poor here”. There were reports that out 94 of the 192 iron-ore mining leases in Odisha do not have environmental clearance and 75, which have a green nod, have mined far beyond the approved level.
Continuing the attack on the state government, the Congress leader continued, “Iron and manganese worth rupees 60 thousand crore are being looted. This money should belong to you. But selected people gained from it. Mining mafia gained from it and you keep watching. 20 lakh families have suffered from loss from Chit-fund. We have sent funds under MNREGA from Delhi for you and the money that has been stolen by the state govt. We also have sent the food for the mid-day meal for children that also vanished. Food meant for children was being stolen by BJD leaders. They didn’t stop there; even they galloped the food which was sent for BPL’s families”.
Highlighting the achievements of the Congress-led UPA Government at the Centre, the party vice President continued, “What Delhi government has done? We have initiated a right-based politics. We have provided food to every family in India through right to food, without any discrimination. It is the Congress which gave MNREGA, Land acquisition Act and RTI to the people. RTI is an effective tool to fight corruption”.
Rahul Gandhi further said that the Odisha government was not bringing about development in the state. "School and hospitals are closed there are no teachers and doctors. The state government takes the money from the people but does not utisilise them for their development".
“All of us, the Congress workers, must go to every single village in the state and fight for people’s rights; we must fight corruption” urged Rahul Gandhi. "Throw BJD out of the state and bring a Congress government that works for all sections, a government that fights for the poor", concluded Rahul Gandhi.

Full text of speech of Sh. Rahul Gandhi at Salepur in Cuttack, Odisha

ओडिशा के कटक में कांग्रेस उपाध्यhक्ष राहुल गांधी का संबोधन

मुझे ओडिशा आकर बहुत खुशी होती है, आप से मिलकर मुझे बहुत
खुशी होती है। मैं यहां आते वक्त हजारों लोगों से मिलकर मुझे एक बात समझ में आई कि
ओडिशा की जनता में शक्ति है, ज्ञान है, इनके अंदर कोई कमी नहीं है। शायद देश का सबसे अमीर प्रदेश ओडिशा है। यहां पर राष्ट्रीय संसाधन है। लोहा है, कोयला है, बॉक्‍साइट है,  मैगनीज है, सब कुछ यहां पर है। जंगल
है, समुंद्र है, आपके पास विकास के लिए
जो भी चीज की जरूरत होती है वह सब कुछ है। पैसे कि कोई कमी नहीं है। कमी यह है कि
जो आपका पैसा है, आपके कोयले का पैसा है, आपके मैगनीज का पैसा है वह आप तक नहीं पहुंचता और वह बीच में गायब हो
जाता है। रघुराम राजन पैनल ने कहा कि ओडिशा हिंदुस्तान के बाकी प्रदेशों में सबसे
पीछे नंबर पर आता है।

ओडिशा में 3,500 किसानों ने आत्महत्या की और 10 लाख युवा
इस प्रदेश में बेरोजगार है। युवा काम करना चाहते हैं, रोजगार
चाहते हैं, मगर सरकार उनको रोजगार नहीं देती। 30 में से 22
जिला नक्सल प्रभावित माने जाते है। अगर बीपीएल के आधार पर आप गरीबों को देखे तो
तकरीबन एक तिहाई जनसंख्या गरीबी रेखा से नीचे है। आदिवासी और दलितों पर जहां भी आप
देखे प्रदेश में अत्याचार है। स्कूल बंद पड़े है, स्कूल में
अध्यापक नहीं है, अस्पताल बंद पड़े हैं और अस्पताल में
डॉक्टर नहीं है। यह किसका काम है? ये ओडिशा की सरकार का काम है और ओडिशा
की सरकार स्कूल नहीं चलाती, अस्पताल नहीं चलाती है, आपका पैसा लेती है और जो खनन
माफिया है उनको आपका पैसा दिलवाती है।

ओडिशा में 60 हजार करोड़ रूपये का लोहा और मैगनीज लूट लिया
गया है। इस पैसे से आपको फायदा होना चाहिए। ओडिशा की जनता को फायदा होना चाहिए था।
मगर चुने हुए लोगों को फायदा हुआ। खनन माफियाओं को फायदा हुआ और आप देखते रह गए।
20 लाख परिवारों को चिट फंड से नुकसान हुआ। हमने दिल्ली से आपके लिए मनरेगा भेजा
और जो पैसा हम भेजते हैं वह चोरी हो जाता है। मिड-डे-मील के माध्यम से हमने बच्चों
के लिए जो भोजन का पैसा भेजा वह भी गायब हो गया। जो बच्चों के पेट में जाना चाहिए
था वह भी पैसा बीजेडी के लोग चोरी कर गए। और जो बीपीएल के परिवारों के लिए चावल था
उसको भी नहीं छोड़ा वह भी यह लोग खा गए। हमें कहते है कि भईया दिल्ली की सरकार
पैसा नहीं भेजती। जितना पैसा हमने (केंद्र सरकार) पिछले पांच सालों में भेजा
इतिहास में किसी और सरकार ने नहीं भेजा। जो हम पैसा भेजते हैं उसको ओडिशा सरकार
इस्तेमाल नहीं करती। ओडिशा सरकार ने 5 हजार करोड़ इस्तेमाल नहीं किया और फिर कहते
है भईया पैसा नहीं देते।

दिल्ली की सरकार ने क्या किया? हमने अधिकार की राजनीति की बात की। भोजन
का अधिकार के माध्यम से हिंदुस्तान में हर परिवार को हमने गारंटी करके भोजन
दिलवाया। यह नहीं पूछा कि भईया वह किस जात का है, हमने हर एक व्यक्ति को भोजन देने की बात
की। मनरेगा की बात की, हमने जमीन अधिग्रहण दिलवाया, आरटीआई दिलवाया। जो पहले भ्रष्टाचार छूपा रहता था, वह
आरटीआई से बाहर आया। नियामगिरि में सबसे बड़ी आदिवासियों की लड़ाई हमने ही लड़ी और
उन लोगों को उनकी जमीन वापस दिलाई। जो उनका हक था जो उनकी जमीन थी, उसको हमने वापस दिलवाया। और अब यही लड़ाई अब हमे ओडिशा में लड़नी है। मैं
कांग्रेस पार्टी के लोगों से कहना चाहता हूं कि यह एक अमीर प्रदेश है, लेकिन यहां की जनता गरीब है।

जो आपका पैसा है, जो जनता का पैसा है कांग्रेस पार्टी को वो
लड़ाई लड़नी है। आदिवासियों की लड़ाई, दलितों की लड़ाई,
पिछड़े लोगों की लड़ाई, आम आदमी की लड़ाई,
गरीबों की लड़ाई, कांग्रेस के सभी कार्यकर्ता
गांव-गांव में जाइए और भ्रष्ट सरकार से लड़िए, जनता के लिए
लड़िए, गरीबों के लिए लड़िए, कमजोर
लोगों के लिए लड़िए और हिंदुस्तान में जो 70 करोड़ लोग है, जो
गरीबी रेखा से ऊपर हैं और मध्यम वर्ग के नीचे हैं उनकी लड़ाई लड़िए। दलितों की
लड़ाई लड़िए, आदिवासियों की लड़ाई लड़िए, महिलाओं की लड़ाई लड़िए और यहां जो भ्रष्ट सरकार है वह आपका पैसा लेती है, लूटती है, उससे लड़ाई लड़िए और जीतिए। यहां पर एक
बार फिर दलितों की, आदिवासियों की, गरीबों
की सरकार लाइए। जो आपका पैसा है जो आज आपसे लूटा जा रहा है, जो
महिलाओं का पैसा लूटा जा रहा है, वह पैसा जनता को दीजिए,
जनता के विकास में डालिए। स्कूल चलाने के लिए, अस्पताल चलाने के लिए दीजिए। कांग्रेस पार्टी के जो भी यहां पर कार्यकर्ता
हैं मैं आपसे कहना चाहता हूं कि आप यह चुनाव लड़िए। बीजेडी को यहां से निकालिये।
एक ऐसी सरकार लाइए जो कांग्रेस पार्टी की सरकार हो, जो जनता
के लिए लड़े, आम आदमी के लिए लड़ें, गरीबों
के लिए लड़े। आप सब दूर-दूर से आए इसके लिए आपका धन्यवाद, जय
हिंद। 

Rahul Gandhi in Gujarat says People work hard for development but one man takes entire credit

Rahul Gandhi addresses Gujarat rally: BJP follows RSS ideology that killed Mahatma Gandhi
Bardoli: Rahul Gandhi today addressed a huge rally at Gujarat’s Bardoli and took on the BJP saying it represents RSS ideology which has killed Mahatma Gandhi. He also took an indirect dig at Gujarat Chief Minister and BJP’s prime ministerial candidate Narendra Modi and said that while the people work hard for development in the state, just one person takes the entire credit.
“The BJP leaders here talk about Sardar Patel and say they will l make his statue. But these people don't know history. They haven’t read any books on the ideologies of Gandhi ji and Sardar Patel ji. They know nothing. .. Sardar Patel said that RSS is a poisonous ideology which will destroy the soul of India. The BJP leaders spend their entire life with RSS. They neither know about Patel nor they read about him, but want to build his statue” said Rahul Gandhi.
“It was the RSS ideology that killed Mahatma Gandhi. After the assassination of Gandhi ji, Sardar Patel had moved a resolution to ban the RSS. Sardar Patel gave his entire life for the Congress party and fought for the rights of the poor. But these leaders in BJP never read about it, never thought about it but want to build his statue!” he added.
Slamming Modi’s claims on Gujarat development, the Congress Vice President said, “BJP makes big gains in education sector. 13000 govt schools were shut down in Gujarat, but this is never mentioned by its leaders anywhere” and continued, “..In Gujarat, just one person has the entire power. No one else has any power or rights... We want to give people their rights. But here the government runs for selected people. We fight for the people, the farmers, Adivasis and the poor. This is the difference between us and BJP”. “Gujarat progressed due to the sweat of its people, not because of one man's efforts. People of Gujarat worked hard and he takes the credit for it” he commented.
Launching a sccathing attack on BJP’s stance on corruption, Rahul Gandhi said, “Who stopped appoint of Lokayukta in Gujarat? The BJP govt spent Rs 40 crores to block Lokayukta appointment. Modi govt did not let lokyukta pass in Gujarat for nine years. Entire world knows it; entire women know it. Gujarat cabinet has three convicted persons as ministers. Still they talk too much on corruption”.
“I want to make it clear that Gujarat does not have the government of poor people. It does not work for the upliftment of the poor and Adivasis and their voices are not heard. Only handful of people runs the government and works for the elite” asserted Rahul Gandhi.
“While we talk about eradicating poverty, BJP talks about eradicating the poor people. We talk about providing the poor with jobs, food, health and education. Indira Gandhi said ‘gareebi hataao’ but BJP wants ‘gareeb hataao”. This is the difference” further said the Congress leader.
When someone from the crowd made the ‘chaai waala’ comment, Rahul Gandhi immediately shot back, “The entire India does some work. Some make tea, some drive taxi's, some are farmers. We need to respect everyone. We have to respect chai wala, labourer or farmer. Respect everyone.. But not the one who makes fool of us” and the huge crowd greeted it with loud applauds.

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.

Budget 2013: Chidambaram endorses the views of Sonia Gandhi & Rahul for the welfare of poor

The Union budget 2013 presented by Union Finance Minister P Chidambaram is a balanced one with adequate focus on youth affairs. The budget has specific proposals to address the issues of the poor and aam aadmi. This has been the priorities of Congress President and UPA Chairperson Sonia Gandhi as well as Congress Vice President Rahul Gandhi also.

Budget 2013: Chidambaram follows Sonia Gandhi; focus on women affairs

The Union budget 2013 presented by Union Finance Minister P Chidambaram is a balanced one with adequate focus on women affairs and women empowerment. This has been the priorities of Congress President and UPA Chairperson Sonia Gandhi and party vice president Rahul Gandhi. The budget clearly shows the commitment of the Congress and its vision for development.

Budget 2013: Chidambaram supports Sonia Gandhi & Rahul Gandhi; focus on women, youth & poor

The Union budget 2013 presented by Union Finance Minister P Chidambaram is a balanced one with adequate focus on women, youth and the poor in the Country. This has been the priorities of Congress President and UPA Chairperson Sonia Gandhi and party Vice President Rahul Gandhi. The budget clearly shows the commitment of the Congress and its vision for development.

Welfare of Aadmi has always been the main agenda for Rahul Gandhi

For Congress General Secretary and party MP Rahul Gandhi, development of the country and welfare of the aam aadmi have always been the prime concern. In all his public addresses and party meetings he stressed for these two factors strongly. When many political leaders indulge in narrow personal attacks, this young Congress leader silently pushes this agenda with all his strength as he know well what people want.