With the CWC analysing the Congress’ poor showing in the recently concluded polls of five states, Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot has strongly defended the Gandhi family, saying that Rahul Gandhi is the only leader who is taking Prime Minister Narendra Modi head-on. Gehlot supported the leadership of Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi, saying that these results cannot demoralize Congress and the party will emerge stronger.
He was talking to the media ahead of the meeting of the Congress Working Committee (CWC). To a question, Gehlot said that those who are critical of the party will get a befitting reply one day. He said that we will continue our journey under the leadership of Sonia Gandhi. He said that the Gandhi family is important for the unity of the Congress.
Reacting on five state poll results, Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot has said that he has seen many ups and downs in politics, so one should not get nervous over these outcomes. We have seen the days when BJP at one point of time in the past had got just two seats in Lok Sabha elections, he added. Congress has seen several phases in politics in pre as well as post-Independence era.
Replying to queries from media, Gehlot hit out at BJP saying that a party may achieve its goal by negative politics of communal polarization, but the greatness is when a party talks about secularism. “Ultimately the truth prevails, and Congress will win,” Gehlot asserted. “Congress has a history of sacrifices. Indira Gandhi sacrificed her life but did not allow Khalistani forces to succeed. Similarly, Rajiv Gandhi and former CM of Punjab Beant Singh laid down their lives, but not allowed separatist forces to succeed, he added. He accused the media of being under pressure from the BJP-led regime. He said Rahul Gandhi did not care about who wins and loses but the concern is about how the youth are being misguided. Gehlot also slammed PM Narendra Modi for raising the issue of dynastic politics. Even the PM needs to answer Rahul Gandhi’s question as to how many leaders from political families have been allowed to join his party, Gehlot added. Gehlot said that democracy and constitution are being undermined, with agencies such as CBI, IT, ED, etc, under the government’s pressure.
In reply to another question, Gehlot said that the basic issues of bread and butter were sidelined. They (the BJP) make an issue out of a non-issue, Gehlot added. The CM further said, “We also made some mistakes. The people of Punjab were unhappy with whatever happened in the state unit of the party, but policies and ideology of Congress have not been rejected, he said. The voting pattern in any state is in fact guided by local issues. Charanjit Singh Channi gave a good message to the electorate, but the circumstances were such that led to the rise of the AAP, Gehlot said, adding that Congress is still a national party. “We are confident of emerging stronger because people know that only Congress which believes in Gandhiji’s principles can keep India united.” Gehlot maintained. “They talk about 70 years. What was there in the country 70 years ago. People had not even seen electricity, nor were there health services, roads or any other facility. But Congress provided it all to the people,” Gehlot remarked.