Rahul Gandhi: Congress represents India’s DNA

In his maiden address after being appointed Congress vice president, Rahul Gandhi on the concluding day of the AICC ‘s Jaipur session spoke of the anger of the youth saying they feel alienated from the political class and demanded a complete transformation of the system to give them a role in the political space. He made an emotional speech in which he said, "the Congress party is now my life and people of India are my life."

"I will fight for the people of India and for this party. I will fight with everything I have. I invite all of you to stand up and take on this fight," he said to a thunderous applause and a standing ovation from nearly thousand delegates at the AICC, that included his mother and Congress president Sonia Gandhi, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, union ministers and senior Congress leaders.

Rahul Gandhi said that despite shortcomings Congress comes back to power because it represents the DNA of India, a fact, which other parties representing a particular religion of caste, fail to understand.

Rahul Gandhi expressed his gratitude to his supporters. “This is a huge honour for me. Over the past eight years, the party has taught me tremendously. I have learnt from seniors, youngsters and thanks to all from the bottom of my heart for the help which I got,” Rahul told the Congress gathering.

Raising the deficiencies in the India’s political system, the Congress vice president asked, “Why do handful of people occupy political space? Power is centralised in system. We don’t believe in empowering people.” “People who are corrupt talk about eradicating corruption, people who disgrace women in daily life talk about women development,” he added.

Emphasising on empowering people who have immense knowledge but are deprived of positions, Rahul said that the time has come to question decision making in politics as only a handful are being empowered.

Rahul Gandhi's first speech after taking over as Congress Vice President

 Newly appointed Congress Vice President Rahul Gandhi while delivering his first speech after the new assignment at Congress' chintan shivir at the Jaipur on the concluding day said that the people of this country are his life and he will fight for them. "The people of India are my life and I will fight for the people of India and for this party. I will fight with everything I have. I invite all of you to stand up and take on this fight" said Rahul Gandhi amidst loud applauds.
"This is a huge honour for me. Over the past 8 years and in the past 8 years the party has taught a lot to me. The party has reposed tremendous faith in me and I want to thank all of you from bottom of my heart for all the help and directions they have given me" he added.

Rahul Gandhi: join me in my fight for the people of the country

A day after being elevated as the Congress Vice President, Rahul Gandhi said on Sunday that he would fight for the people of India with everything he has and criticized the country’s power structure, as the Congress pledged to articulate the aspirations of the young and the middle class, create an investment-friendly business environment, and generate more jobs.

“Congress party is now my life,” Rahul Gandhi said on the last of a three-day AICC session – called chintan shivir in Jaipur. “The people of India are my life. I will fight for the people of India and for this party. I will fight with everything I have. I invite all of you to stand up and take on this fight.”

Rahul Gandhi hugged his mother and Congress president Sonia Gandhi before and after the speech, which was greeted with frequent applause by a 1,500-strong audience. “Power is grossly centralized in our country, we only empower people at the top of a system,” Rahul Gandhi said. “We don’t believe in empowering people all the way to bottom. Every single day I meet people who have tremendous understanding, deep insight and no voice... And then I meet people holding high positions with tremendous voice, but no understanding of the issues at hand.”

The leader of the young brigade in the Congress said India’s youth were angry “because they are alienated and are excluded from the political class”. “They watch from the sidelines as the powerful drive around in their lal battis (cars with red beacons),” he said. “Why are the poor confined to powerlessness and poverty? Because the decision over their lives and the services they need are decided by people far away, answerable to them only in theory.”

“People who are corrupt stand up and talk about eradicating corrupt, people who disrespect women in their every day life talk about women’s rights. We have to re-look at things in the system and we have to transform them completely,” Rahul Gandhi said.

The conclave in Jaipur comes ahead of a dozen state elections that will lead up to the general election due in 2014. It followed protests by the young and the middle class against alleged corruption in the United Progressive Alliance (UPA) government. Last month’s brutal assault and gang-rape of a student in a moving bus in Delhi also led to street protests and demands for tougher measures to deter crimes against women.

Rahul Gandhi: The Congress party is my life. The people of India are my life

“The Congress party is my life. The people of India are now my life. And I will fight for the people of India and for this party” said Rahul Gandhi, the newly-appointed Congress vice president in his 45 minute emotionally-charged speech on Sunday at the Birla auditorium while addressing the All India Congress Committee session on the last day of the 'Chintan Shivir'.

“The Food Bill will ensure that no mother sees her child go hungry at night. Right to Information allows every Indian to take on the battle against corruption” said the Congress leader about the proposed food security bill by the Congress-led UPA government at the centre. “ There are people in high positions with no understanding of issues - this happens because we respect position not knowledge” he warned.

“The youth is angry as it is alienated. Until we start to empower people, we can't change anything in this country” cautioned Rahul Gandhi.” The corrupt talk of eradicating corruption and those who disrespect women talk of women's rights” further said the Congress Vice President.

“ India is more connected today. It is no longer possible to limit an idea whose time has come.. The Congress needs leadership development. Five years from now, we need to create 40-50 leaders who have the potential to run the country” said Rahul Gandhi.

Striking an emotional chord with the audience Rahul Gandhi continued “As a boy I loved to play badminton because it gave me balance in a complicated world. I was taught by two policemen who protected my grandmother and were my friends. They killed my grandmother and took way the balance”. “In the evening I saw my father address the nation. He was terrified of what lay ahead of him. But I saw a glimmer of hope. That hope has brought India where it is today,” added Rahul Gandhi recalling his father and former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi who was the champion of the modern India.

“Last night my mother came to my room and she sat and cried. Because she understands that the power that so many seek is poison. She can see it because she is not attached to it” said Rahul Gandhi.

The well drafted speech clearly gave a strong message. Rahul Gandhi wants to transform the system; He is not going to tolerate any nepotism in the party and he wants that power should be used to hear people’s voice. And this is a good signal for the party as well as for the country.

Rahul Gandhi's first interaction with media after taking over as Congress Vice President

Newly appointed Congress Vice President Rahul Gandhi had a brief interaction with the media persons when he visited AICC office for the first time after taking over the new assignment. "Congress is the big instrument that can bring in changes. Congress party is a big instrument that brings in more youngsters. And it is the big and strong instrument than can transform the country" said Rahul Gandhi.

Rahul Gandhi visits AICC office for the first time after taking over as Congress Vice President

Congress leaders greeted newly appointed Congress Vice President Rahul Gandhi on his first visit to AICC office after taking over as the new assignment in the party. The leaders greeted the young leader with followers and by shaking hands. Rahul Gandhi was appointed as Congress Vice President in the recently held Congress' Chintan Shivir at Jaipur.

Congress’s Jaipur session to have more presence of youth

Rahul Gandhi’s efforts to attract more youth to the Congress party will be acknowledged at the 'chintan shivir' in Jaipur with an unprecedentedly high participation from youth delegates readying Congress with the slogan of generational change for the 2014 elections. Rahul Gandhi in all his interactions had stressed for the need of more youth to join politics and insisted that for cleansing the political system and for strengthening democracy the role of youngsters is important.

Around 40% of delegates would be in the age bracket of 45 years, a makeover that has set the tone for the passing of baton in the Congress. The stress on GenNext has led to heartburn among the old guard that seems wary of the coming shape of the party.

The bringing to fore of young generation betrays Congress's eagerness to establish "youth connect" to overcome the handicap of recent agitations. Congress hopes that local young face would better connect with voters.

Youth Congress and NSUI, frontal outfits mentored by Rahul Gandhi, have also been tasked with oversight and implementation of schemes like 'Direct Benefits Transfer' (DBT) and the campaign to stress the party hand on flagship schemes.

Congress is looking to formulate policies which would complement the messaging over the GenNext leadership. Topical issues like corruption, concern over law and order, gender justice and Pakistan would dominate the focus.

Congress would take care to devote time to "aam aadmi" after recent tough measures on the economic front are set to hurt the poor. The party is likely to showcase the coming Food Security Act and 'Direct Benefits Transfer' as attempts to help the marginalized with subsidized ration and better delivery of subsidies.

Sonia Gandhi :We as the Congress Party must work united, to come up to the people’s expectations

“The time has come to work together, as the people of our country have great expectations from our Congress party. And, only by fulfilling the aspirations of  people, we will definitely get the mandate again in the coming Lok Sabha  elections, just a little more than a year away from now,” declared Congress President Sonia Gandhi.

She in her concluding address on the concluding day of on-going Chintan Shivir  (brainstorming session) here on Sunday, urged the party workers to gear-up for effective organizational thrusts at all levels, in a meaningful manner.

“ Its time to look within, as the party. What makes us different and unique compared to other political out-fits in the country, must be outlined very clearly. We must answer effectively to questions as why people should vote for the Congress,” categorically stated Congress President Sonia Gandhi.

Congress-led UPA has completed eight and half years at the Centre. It has been a long journey. “We have come up a long way and we must apprise the people with our achievements. Be it about projects under UPA flagship or about various legislations like Right to Information Act ( RTI) and many others, we must project these to the people in general. We have to tell that we as a party have been deeply concerned for the social justice and economic parity among all sections of the society,” she stressed.

Notably, at the very outset of her address at about 10.30 am on Sunday here, Congress President Sonia Gandhi deliberated upon about the unfortunate incident of Delhi gang-rape on December 16 last year. She strongly forwarded that death of  the gang-rape victim in the nation’s capital would not go in vain.

“She ( gang rape victim) was brave and she symbolized the spirit of new India. I will personally see that every single woman and single girl in the country are safe and secure,”  strongly advocated Congress President Sonia Gandhi.

She also talked about reservation for women in the Parliament and she said that it was the vision of late Rajiv Gandhi who forwarded for women’s reservation in the Panchayati Raj system.

Talking about the issue of development as being a poll plank by many political parties, she said that as a party, the Congress is committed for overall development with social justice and economic parity for all.

She urged the party workers to expose all those (other political parties) which claim the UPA flagship projects as their own. Congress President Sonia Gandhi said, “We have not discriminated against any state and have given financial assistance, as required. But, many states claim the Central projects as their own, which we must expose.”

“Congress-led UPA at the Centre is doing all it can, for the overall development of the nation. We as the party must also get into effective mechanism to let people know what all we have done so far and what all we are doing for the country,” she said.

Talking about global economic slowdown and its effect on the Indian economy, Congress President said that some hard decisions have been taken to keep away the likely damages on our economy. “We as the Congress Party must make people aware about these facts and the necessity of the decisions, taken in the interest of the nation,” she focused. She also talked about international relations and said that on accepted civilised structures, the country would go for it with any other country. 

  

In a statement declared from the dais of the Chintan Shivir, Congress President Sonia Gandhi said that the Congress party has been led by great people like Mahatma Gandhi, Lal Bahadur Shashtri, Indira Gandhi., Maulana Azad, Dr B R Ambedkar, Rajiv Gandhi  and many others, to make India a modern country as it is today.

“We as the Congress Party have been fortunate to have been led by great visionaries and now, with their ideals, we must surge ahead to come up to the expectations of the people of this country,” announced Congress President Sonia Gandhi.

Sonia Gandhi at AICC session: Tackling corruption, safety of women should be the priorities

“I will continue to press for women reservation Bill; Delhi Gang-rape victim’s death will not go in vain”

Congress President Sonia Gandhi today addressed a meeting of the All India Congress Committee (AICC) in Jaipur on the last day of the Chintan Shivir that began on Friday. “I am delighted by the active participation of our young leaders at the Shivir. The Chintan Shivir allowed us to introspect on key national and international issues” said the Congress President.

Referring her concern over corruption which according to her is deep rooted in the entire system, Sonia Gandhi said “Let me reiterate corruption at all levels is a deep rooted malice and all sections of society are affected by it. As a party we must lead struggle to combat its effect. At the last AICC session, corruption was major issue. I laid out a five-point action plan then and the government has worked on it.”  “We have introduced the Lokpal bill in Parliament. We have introduced new path-breaking legislation for addressing public grievances and to protect whistleblowers” added the Congress President.

Touching upon the game changing policy of Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) Sonia Gandhi said “We also launched the historic 'Aap Ka Paisa Aap Ke Haath' scheme, which will stop corruption by middlemen”.

Sonia Gandhi also talked about the recent gang rape incident in Delhi that invited wide protests across the country. “The barbaric gang-rape of a young woman in Delhi has shaken the country. She embodied the spirit of an aspirational India. We will ensure her death will not go in vain” said the Congress President.

“Gender issues were discussed at the Chintan Shivir. The Congress has been at the forefront in the struggle to empower women, and it will continue to do so. Every woman has the fundamental right to feel safe and secure. Public figures made unacceptable remarks against women. We cannot tolerate mindsets that lead to crimes against women and children” she underlined.

Sonia Gandhi then declared “I assure you I will continue to press for a law for 30 per cent reservation for women in Parliament and assemblies”.

Exhorting the leaders to go to the people and explain the Congress’s achievements, the party leader continued “Today is also the time for the party to introspect and see how we are better than our opponents. We need to clearly explain to the people why we are a better political choice. We have the support of all sections of the society. The Congress is especially concerned about the welfare of the backward sections, women and farmers”.

She also sent out a warning; “We will fight forces that threaten the unity and integrity of the country”.

Listing out UCongress-led UPA Govt’s achievements, the chairperson of the claition said “Congress has worked to free the country from poverty. Our UPA government has worked very effectively under the leadership of Manmohan Singh”.

While defending the Centre’s economic reform measures, she added “Global recession is having an effect on India and has forced the government to take some hard decisions, which have hit the people” and told the Congress leaders, “We should explain to the people the reasons for these hard economic decisions”.

Admitting that the people have losing faith in politicians, Sonia Gandhi reminded “People are losing faith in politicians. We have to understand why this is happening”.

The Congress president also spoke about the need for electoral reforms and said that the Election Commission (EC) must introduce the necessary changes. Sonia Gandhi also asked the party members to work with unity and discipline saying that their victory was in the victory of the party.

“There are only 15 months left to the Lok Sabha elections. If we work well, there is no doubt we will be re-elected again. This is the time to work hard. As the country's main political party, the people's expectations from us is higher. We cannot let down the people who have put their faith in us” she said while concluding her address.