Full Text of speech of the press conference of Sh, Rahul Gandhi at Delhi after the CM’s meeting

Rahul Gandhi at New Delhi,27th Dec 2013
 We meet today on two main issues which are corruption and Lokpal, and there was also price rise. We are very concerned about the rising of price of vegetables and fruits. Congress chief ministers decided that till February, the accountability and stipulations in the national level Lokpal will be taken to state level. All our states have agreed that they will bring this Lokayukt on national level till February.
Price rise of fruits and vegetables is a main issue of inflation, we have taken some remedial steps as Mr. Maken had mentioned regarding this and Lokpal Bill is one step. These were the discussions took place in the meeting. As I said earlier Lokpal bill is only one step.
If we need to fight corruption then we need a framework not just at the national level but also state level and may be state level is more important. Congress party is working towards this direction.
On Adarsh: If you are asking me I don’t agree with the decision (of the Maharashtra govt); they should reconsider that decision.
As I have said before if we are serious about this and the Congress party is dead serious about this then this is not about one bill, this is about a framework, a system. Now what is interesting to me there is only one party which is talking about the system, there is only party that is talking about the framework everyone else is talking. But nobody is showing the path to fight corruption. If you want to fight corruption, create a mechanism. What is that mechanism, there are number of bills pending in Lok Sabha, Rajya Sabha; let us get together and pass those bills.
On fighting corruption: Now I have already said we are committed to that, let us have session of the house, let us all get together, and create a framework to fight corruption. But when I say let create a framework to fighting corruption there is silence on the other side, complete silence. I don’t hear ‘yes’ we should pass these bill. I don’t hear that. I don’t see other opposition states having Lokayukt there, I don’t see them. If you are serious, let us stop talking and let’s start acting and as far as my party is concerned my party is dead serious.
As far as Maharashtra issue is concerned I told you my view there is no question of protecting anyone.
We brought the Lokpal bill and we want to bring other bills too. If they are truly against corruption, come help us to set up a framework. I would like to say on Adarsh society that I advice that it should be reconsidered.
The issue here is about building a framework against corruption. If you are serious about this and if the country serious about this and if the country actually serious about this then let’s talk.
See what happens if the opposition gets together with us and pass anti-corruption laws.
I hear again and again talk about corruption, but I don’t see systematic action. We brought in Parliament house again and again. Big speeches won’t help the cause. We brought the RTI, we brought in the Lokpal and the amount of benefit the country will get from this framework it won’t be possible through talks and it is fashionable to talk but if you want change, enact the laws.
Thank you!

Rahul Gandhi wants Maharashtra Govt to reconsider Adarsh decision

Rahul Gandhi wants Maharashtra Govt to reconsider Adarsh decision
Congress Vice President Sh. Rahul Gandhi held a meeting with state ministers to discuss the formation of Lokayukt and the framework to combat the corruption in the Nation.

“Let's stop talking, let's start working. We want to take the stipulations in the national level Lokpal to the state level Lokpal as well.” Rahul Gandhi said in a press conference after the meeting.

“We meet today on two main issues which are corruption and Lokpal, and there was also price rise. We are very concerned about the rising of price of vegetables and fruits. Congress chief ministers decided that till February, the accountability and stipulations in the national level Lokpal will be taken to state level.” Rahul Gandhi added.

The Congress Vice President also stated that there are number of bills are pending in the Parliament, Rajya Sabha and Lok Sabha. He is constantly emphasizing on the matter to combat the corruption and also talked about the ‘mechanism’. “If you want to fight corruption, create a mechanism. What is that mechanism, there are number of bills pending in Lok Sabha, Rajya Sabha; let us get together and pass those bills.” Rahul Gandhi added.
“I hear again and again talk about corruption, but I don’t see systematic action. We brought in Parliament house again and again. Big speeches won’t help the cause,”he strongly added.

He also lashed out opposition and parties who are not supporting the Lokpal bill and other bills in the Parliament. “We brought the RTI, we brought in the Lokpal and the amount of benefit the country will get from this framework it won’t be possible through talks and it is fashionable to talk but if you want change, enact the laws.”

On Maharashtra govt’s stand to reject the report on Adarsh scam Rahul Gandhi categorically said, “I don't agree with the decision of the Maharashtra cabinet; it should be reconsidered. There is no question of protecting anyone”.



“If we need to fight corruption then we need a framework not just at the national level but also state level. Congress party is working towards this now” aid the Congress leader and underlined the policy of his own party, ”There is only one party which is talking about the system... everyone else is talking”.

About tackling the issues of corruption, Rahul Gandhi commented, “I have already said we are committed to that, let us have session of the house, let us all get together, and create a framework to fight corruption. But when I say let create a framework to fighting corruption there is silence on the other side, complete silence. I don’t hear ‘yes’ we should pass these bill. I don’t hear that. I don’t see other opposition states having Lokayukt there, I don’t see them. If you are serious, let us stop talking and let’s start acting and as far as my party is concerned my party is dead serious”.

Rahul Gandhi interacts with minorities on Congress manifesto

New Delhi: Congress Vice-President Rahul Gandhi interacted with members of minority communities in New Delhi on Monday as part of Congress strategy to hold consultations with various people for preparing party’s election manifesto.

The meeting was aimed at to gather the views and demands of minorities at the grassroots level for inclusion in the Congress manifesto for the Lok Sabha polls. Monday's deliberations were the second as part of the manifesto consultation process, which is being spearheaded by Rahul Gandhi.

Recalling the fears of a young boy he had met during his recent visit to a relief camp in Shamli near Muzaffarnagar, Rahul Gandhi said, "No person of any community or caste should ever be scared in India. This is a secular country" and added, “The boy had told him that he was afraid to return to his village following the riots”. The Congress President also spoke about the need to instil a sense of security among all sections of society.

Rahul Gandhi stated that the key issue is leadership. "Until we open up processes, until we encourage leadership, problems will not be solved. The problem at all levels is of developing leadership," he asserted.

He stressed the need to fight the politics that thrives on creating fear and said the Congress believed in "Shanti ke saath kranti" (peace and transformation). Rahul Gandhi said that the consultations were the first step towards opening up processes to develop policy and provide political representation. He said the main way to empower the marginalized sections of society was to improve their access to quality education. The Congress Vice President added that true governance was that which provided dignity and respect to the people and ensured that their voices were heard.

The meet also saw some plain speaking by the participants who told Rahul Gandhi that issues concerning the minority community should be decided by talking to representatives on the ground and not just to some Muslim leaders at the top. Responding to the demand for reservation, the Congress leader told them that while such a move could be a solution, it alone would not be enough to raise the economic and social status of the minority community.

At the meet, representatives of the Jain community demanded minority status for themselves and Christian members raised the issue of Kandhmal riots. Later, at a press conference, External Affairs Minister Salman Khurshid said issues of security, peace, education and job opportunities dominated the meeting. On the issue of reservation for Dalit Christians and 4.5 per cent quota for backward minorities in OBC categories, the meeting saw pleas urging that courts be requested to expedite decisions in such matters.

Other party leaders present at the meeting included Union Ministers Salman Khurshid, K Rahman Khan, Oscar Fernandes and Jairam Ramesh.