Friday, Mar 29th 2024
Trending News

The difference between Congress and BJP is, they use anger, we use love: Rahul Gandhi in 1st address to Congress plenary as party President

By FnF Correspondent | PUBLISHED: 17, Mar 2018, 12:37 pm IST | UPDATED: 17, Mar 2018, 13:40 pm IST

The difference between Congress and BJP is, they use anger, we use love: Rahul Gandhi in 1st address to Congress plenary as party President New Delhi: Congress president Rahul Gandhi targeted the BJP right off the bat in his first address to the party plenary today, saying the saffron outfit "uses anger" to divide the country, something the Congress will never do.

He also said the BJP's "emphasis on divisive politics" has led its focus away from key issues like unemployment and farmers' distress, and added that the Congress is the only party that can take the country forward, bringing along with it each and every citizen regardless of caste or creed.

"The country is tired, it's looking for a way, and I say from my heart that only the Congress can show India the way. The difference between the Congress and the Opposition (BJP), the big difference, is they use anger, we use love and regard for our fellow humans," said Rahul.

The 84th plenary of the Congress began today. Over the two-day meet, the Congress is set to roll out a road map for reversing its downward electoral journey. Therefore, with his eye firmly on Lok Sabha 2019, Rahul told members the Congress is the only party that can take the country forward.

"This plenary's goal is to show the country and the Congress the way. The people of this country, they see Modi and see no way forward. They can't understand where they will get employment from, when farmers will get the right price (for their crop)," he said, highlighting two hot button issues he's been targeting the Centre on for a while now.

Instead of focussing on development and trying to alleviate the distress of farmers, the BJP, said Rahul, is dividing people.

"Anger is being spread in the country, the country is being divided, people are being made to fight each other. Our job is to join people, bring them together and this 'hand' (party symbol), this is the only one that can bring the country together and take it forward. And this hand's strength is in all of you," said the Congress president.

Rahul stressed that his party's aim is the upliftment of all and not just a few.

"I will repeat that this country belongs to all of us…all religions, all castes, all people. Anything the Congress does will be for all people and no one will be left behind," he said.

The subjects committee of the Congress met on the first day of the party's plenary in New Delhi under the leadership of party chief Rahul Gandhi and finalised four draft resolutions that will help set the roadmap for the party for the next five years. The political resolution, which will be taken up on Saturday, will outline the party's strategy to defeat the BJP-led government in 2019. It is also likely to spell out the party's stance on alliances amidst growing voices within the opposition for the need of coming together against the NDA in 2019.

The subjects committee of the Congress met on the first day of the party's plenary in New Delhi under the leadership of party chief Rahul Gandhi and finalised four draft resolutions that will help set the roadmap for the party for the next five years. The political resolution, which will be taken up on Saturday, will outline the party's strategy to defeat the BJP-led government in 2019. It is also likely to spell out the party's stance on alliances amidst growing voices within the opposition for the need of coming together against the NDA in 2019.

A resolution on agriculture, poverty alleviation and unemployment is also expected to be taken up on Saturday.

Congress spokesperson Randeep Singh Surjewala said that his party unequivocally condemns any act of political vendetta indulged by the Modi government. "Now that the BJP has only few months left in power, it should count its days and be ready to face the people's wrath," he said, adding that "denigrating the credibility of institutions by misusing them to target political opponents is the sole agenda of the Modi government".

"Media reports suggest that the 'Directorate of Prosecution', which is the CBI's legal wing, and the Economic Offences Division of the CBI have different opinions on filing an FIR in a case against former Bihar Chief Minister Lalu Prasad. "This chasm within the CBI has surfaced when the Modi government has left no stone unturned to file series of cases against their political opponents. CBI clearly has become a 'Captive Bureau of Investigation' in the hands of the Modi government," he added.

An overwhelming majority of opposition parties have extended tactical support to the Andhra Pradesh rivals YSR Congress and TDP, who are together pushing for a no-confidence motion against the Modi government over the non-implementation of the promised special category status for the post-bifurcation Andhra Pradesh.

Even Congress — which has no love lost for the YSR Congress and TDP, the two parties that have reduced the Grand Old Party to a corner in its once political fortress of Andhra Pradesh was more vociferous than others in extending support to the move for a no-confidence motion.

Although the opposition parties are fully aware of the Modi government’s numerical strength in the House, they feel that the government will be compelled to take action. Trinamool Congress chief Mamata Banerjee, who is eyeing regional parties for a “federal front” tweeted, “I welcome the TDP’s decision to leave the NDA. The current situation warrants such action to save the country from disaster.”

Speaking at CNN-News18 TV network's event, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said, rising India signifies growing, moving forward in life. What is Rising India, is it just about the economy, GDP, foreign investments, etc? For me, it means the rise of the self-respect of the 1.2 billion population of the entire nation.

The Congress plenary sessions will be attended by the party's top leaders, including former prime minister Manmohan Singh and former party chief Sonia Gandhi, its mandarins from across the country and workers. . The party is hoping that around 15,000 party members will attend the two-day open session.