Delivering the closing remarks at the 84th Plenary of the Congress party, Rahul Gandhi launched a blistering attack on Prime Minister Modi and laid out a the roadmap for the party ahead of 2019. He began his address by attacking Amit Shah, saying “no murder accused will ever be Congress President” and went on to allege that Modi had gone far beyond peddling ‘jumlas' to tell blatant lies to the Indian public.
As for the internal functioning of the party, he did not mince words when he said it was time to break the walls between party workers and its leaders. He said that the trend of ‘parachuting leaders' to contest on a Congress ticket or denying a ticket to a hard working party worker who did not have the money to fund his campaign, will now stop.
- The 84th Congress Plenary Session concludes with the party president Rahul Gandhi making scathing attacks on Prime Minister Narendra Modi and BJP President Amit Shah.
Catch all the live updates from the Congress Plenary session.
Congress President Rahul Gandhi Delivers the Closing Speech at Party's 84th Plenary Session
While delivering the closing speech at the 84th Congress Plenary session, party president Rahul Gandhi said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi was not fighting corruption but was "corruption himself" and under him, the country is controlled by "corrupt and powerful".
The name Modi symbolises the collusion between India's biggest businessmen and the Prime Minister.Rahul Gandhi, Congress President
Referring to the former Indian Premier Leagure (IPL) chairman Lalit Modi and diamond jeweller Nirav Modi, who are accused in different cases of fraud, he said that "Modi gives Modi Rs 30,000 crores of your money and in turn, Modi gives Modi money for marketing Modi and fighting elections".
Recalling the two warring sides of the epic Mahabharat, Congress president Rahul Gandhi today said the BJP, like the Kauravas, fought for power, while his party, on the lines of the Pandavas, battled for truth.
Taking a potshot at BJP President Amit Shah without naming him he said: "They (the BJP) will accept a person with a murder charge as their party President."
They appointed a man who was charged with murder as their party president. Congress would never do that. India expects much more from the Congress because they expect a higher standard from us.Rahul Gandhi, Congress President
Gandhi also alleged that the "BJP is a voice of an organisation" while the "Congress is the voice of the nation".
They tell Muslims of India who never went to Pakistan and supported this great nation, ‘You don't belong here'. They tell the Tamils, ‘Change your beautiful language', they tell people of North-East, ‘We don't like what you eat', they tell women, ‘Dress properly or we'll thrash you'.Rahul Gandhi, Congress President
“They told Gauri Lankesh and Kalburgi, question us and you will die. They tell our honest businessman to shut up and allow corrupt officers to extort their hard earned money. They tell our farmers to work for nothing,” he continued.
He also admitted that the last Congress govt was not able to stand up to the expectations of the people. He said, “I don't say it with happiness but the last govt we formed did not stand up to the expectations of the people. The people of the country were let down by us.”
He said his first priority will be to break the ‘wall' between Congress leadership and party workers.
He continues, “The PM diverts our attention and jumps from one event to another from Gabbar Singh tax to yoga in Parliament but never talks about the issues. But, the Congress cannot be stopped from seeking the truth and justice.”
Taking a jibe at the Rashtriya Swayamsewak Sangh (RSS), the Congres leader said: "(Mahatma) Gandhi spent 15 years in jail and died for the nation. But India must never forget that while our leader slept on the floor in jail, (Vinayak Damodar) Savarkar wrote a letter to the British begging for mercy and clemency," he added.
Amid Loud Cheers, Navjot Singh Sidhu Takes Stage
Amid loud cheers, cricketer-turned-politician Navjot Singh Sidhu took stage at the 84th Congress Plenary Session in New Delhi. He advised Rahul Gandhi to embrace Congress workers who can help him hoist the national flag from The Red Fort in 2019.
Owing to his natural sense of humour, he chuckled at Manmohan Singh and said, “Aap Sardaar bhi hai, Asaardar bhi.”
Former Finance Minister P Chidambaram Presents Economic Proposal
Former finance minister P Chidambaram, while presenting the economic proposal of the party, said:
I am here because I draw my strength from each one of you. There is a steel instilled in me that comes from the 45 years of my association with the Congress.
He also spoke about the current phase of economic growth, while also strongly condemning demonetisation:
The current phase of economic growth started in the 1990s when Rajiv Gandhi sowed the seeds of liberalisation. This gained momentum under Dr Manmohan Singh. Whatever the BJP, the NDA may say, these records speak for themselves. As for demonetisation, there can't have been a greater lie. Why has the RBI not been able to complete the counting of currency returned? I want to tell the RBI officials – ‘go to Hundi collectors in Tirupati... they count money faster than you.'P Chidambaram, former finance minister
Chidambaram also claimed that it was the Modi government that had pushed people into poverty.
The biggest achievement of Dr Manmohan Singh was that 14 crore people were lifted out of poverty. The BJP govt pushed people into poverty – the number of people below the poverty line went up. It's the greatest disservice that the BJP govt did to the people of India.
CWC Authorises Rahul to Pick Apex Body Members
The Congress, on its second day of its plenary session, unanimously passed a resolution at its plenary session, authorising party president Rahul Gandhi to choose members of the new working committee.
Senior Congress leader Ghulam Nabi Azad moved a resolution, proposing that the new party chief selects his own team of the working committee, the highest decision-making body of the party.
Azad earlier asked the delegates whether there should be an election for the working committee, an idea which was outrightly rejected by them.
The Congress president will have to set up a new CWC in place of the steering committee which was formed after the working committee was dissolved by him.
The working committee will be established after the plenary session.
Manmohan Singh Addresses Congress Plenary Session
Addressing fellow Congress members at the 84th Plenary Session in New Delhi on Sunday, 18 March, former prime minister Mamohan Singh attacked the Narendra Modi government for not living up to the “jumla” promises that the BJP made during election campaigns.
“When Modiji was campaigning, he made lots of tall promises. Those promises have not been fulfilled. He said we will provide 2 crore jobs, we have not seen even 2 lakh jobs... The BJP government made tall promises. Modiji himself said that they will double farmers' income in six years. If you have to do that, you do need a growth rate of 12 percent per annum at least, which is unthinkable,” Singh said.
Quoting the Economic Survey report, the former PM said agricultural growth has been stagnant since the last four years, adding that Modi's agricultural promises are "jumla type statements.”
He also said that the Modi government has mismanaged the Kashmir problem like never before. “The situation in Jammu and Kashmir is deteriorating day in and day out... due to cross-border terrorism or internal terrorism,” Singh said.
When it comes to India's relationship with Pakistan, Singh suggested that the two countries sit together peacefully to discuss their ties. India should let Pakistan know that it will not tolerate the the cross-border terrorism.
Congress Releases It's Foreign Policy Resolution
Releasing it's foreign policy resolution on day two of the Congress plenary session in New Delhi on Sunday, 18 March, the Grand Old Party of India criticised the Narendra Modi government's foreign policy, especially with the neighbouring countries of Pakistan and China.
“There is is a disturbing increase in hostile actions, including shelling by Pakistani Armed Forces along our borders and the LoC.
“Confronting cross-border terrorism with robust security response, has enjoyed across the board national consensus. Regrettably, this is being undermined by the government by making policiy towards Pakistan a divisive domestic issue,” the foreign resolution.
On China, the Congress said, “Our approach to China must not be only marked with pragmatism, but also realism. It should remain our endeavour to work for peaceful resolution of all outstanding issues.”
PM Carried His Own Propaganda: Anand Sharma
On the second day of the 84th Congress Plenary Session, senior leader Anand Sharma said, “The Narendra Modi government has disrupted India's foreign policy. In the last four years they have made this a divisive policy. They have pursued this in a cavalier manner, non-serious manner.”
“The PM is carried away by his own propaganda. Today it is a matter of concern that we have mismanaged our relations with major capitals of the world, with major strategic partners and our immediate neighbourhood,” Sharma said.
Watch: AICC Plenary Session Day One Roundup
What does the seating arrangement at the AICC plenary session say about the message the party is trying to send out ahead fo 2019? Neeraj Gupta and Aviral Virk report.
The QuintSaturday, March 17, 2018BJP Responds to Sonia's Speech
Responding to UPA Chairperson Sonia Gandhi's address in the Congress plenary session, BJP spokesperson Sambit Patra said that her agenda was to promote the Gandhi family.
Sonia Gandhi has only one agenda, promote one family and promote Rahul Gandhi as Congress President. Rahul Gandhi has completely failed as a leader. Agenda of Modi government is to promote 125 Crore Indians. Come 2019, the 125 Crore people will once again vote for him.Sambit Patra, BJP SpokespersonCentre Has Replaced Swaminathan Committee With ‘Jumlanathan Committee': Surjewala
Congress spokesperson Randeep Surjewala said that the Modi government has betrayed farmers like no one else has.
Narendra Modi's government scrapped farmers' Swaminathan Committee and replaced it with ‘Jumlanathan Committee'.Randeep SurjewalaBangladesh PM Sends Her Best Wishes for Plenary
Bangladesh PM Sheikh Hasina recalled the “extraordinary support” extended to Bangladesh by former prime minister Indira Gandhi and has sent her best wishes for the 84th Plenary Session of the Congress.
In a message to UPA Chairperson Smt. Sonia Gandhi, Bangladesh PM Sheikh Hasina recalls the extraordinary support extended to Bangladesh by former PM Smt. Indira Gandhi and has sent her best wishes for the 84th Plenary Session of the Congress. #CongressPlenary #ChangeIsNow pic.twitter.com/JRE6NAvmHl
March 17, 2018Congress Will Keep Exposing Government's Lies: Sonia Gandhi
Sonia Gandhi, while addressing party members at the Congress Plenary session accused the Modi government of weakening and ignoring the schemes and programs implemented during the UPA regime.
She also said that the Congress party was dedicated towards exposing the government's fraud and lies using proofs. She said that PM Modi and his ministers are drunk on power.
She also stressed upon the importance of strengthening the party. She also spoke about the strength of alliance with like-minded parties.
Today a new chapter of the Congress party has begun. We need to build a nation that provides for every citizen. Every Congress member will dedicate their life to take this nation to great heights.Sonia GandhiHave You Fulfilled Promises Made to Farmers?: Rahul Asks PM
Rahul Gandhi in a tweet attacked PM Modi over ‘unfullfiled promises' to farmers and demanded a raise in the support price.
मोदीजी, आज के कृषि उन्नति मेले के अपने भाषण में सरकारी PR की चकाचौंध को भूलकर केवल देश के किसानों को ये बताइए कि आप समर्थन मूल्य कब बढ़ाएंगे जिससे किसानों का लाभ 50% बढ़े और हज़ारों किसानों को आत्महत्या ना करना पड़े? ये वादा आपने 2014 में किया था। आपको याद है ना?#BasEkAurSaal
March 17, 2018Sonia Gandhi Takes a Selfie
Sonia Gandhi took a candid selfie at the 84th Congress Plenary session. A picture shared by the Congress' twitter account was captioned, “ Smt Sonia Gandhi sends a quick selfie and lots of love to all Congress men and women from the #CongressPlenary”
Smt Sonia Gandhi sends a quick selfie and lots of love to all Congress men and women from the #CongressPlenary. #ChangeIsNow pic.twitter.com/3oD1N3ngnt
March 17, 2018Congress leader Mallikarjun Kharge also took a selfie “summing up” the mood in Congress plenary.
Congress leader @MallikarjunINC sums up the mood at the #CongressPlenary. #ChangeIsNow pic.twitter.com/HSnxsMUeEi
March 17, 2018Rahul Will Be PM in 2019: Siddaramaiah
Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, while addressing party members at the Congress Plenary Session, said that nobody can stop Rahul Gandhi from becoming the Prime Minister of the country in 2019.
PM Is Intolerant, Arrogant: Congress in Political Resolution
Excerpts from the Congress' political resolution:
- Women empowerment: While reaffirming its support for women's reservation in Parliament and legislatures, the Congress demands that the government bring women's reservation bill in parliament for passage and implementation before the 2019 General Election.
- Youth: The plenary session indicts the BJP government of betraying the youth of India by not fulfilling the promised two crore jobs every year. The government not only failed to create jobs but through its decisions l, India lost millions of jobs in MSME and informal sector.
- Atrocities against Dalits, Adivasis and Minorities: Minorities in the BJP rule have a general fear of insecurity. In a country where the Constitution guarantees freedom. It is unacceptable for the people to be told what to eat and what to wear. Congress remains committed to ensure the safety of all minorities as equal citizens and to protect their fundamental rights.
- RSS-BJP: The prime minister and the BJP government are intolerant of any criticism and remain in arrogant denial. The RSS-BJP is misrepresenting, distorting and misusing religion to exploit the sentiments of the people and capture political power. The toxic mix of religion and politics poses a challenge to our pluralistic society and inclusive democracy. RSS which claims to be a social and cultural organisation, masquerades as sole representative of the Hindus.
Congress Releases Political Resolution
The Congress' ‘political resolution', that was released on 17 March, touched upon a number of factors – including women empowerment and soaring unemployment rates.
In the resolution, the Congress demanded the return of the practice of paper ballots, alleging a feeling of “apprehension among political parties and people over misuse of Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) to manipulate outcome contrary to popular verdict”
Congress Plenary - Final Draft on Political Resolution by The Quint on Scribd
Congress Party Belongs to Everyone Who Lives in the Nation: Kharge
Addressing party members at the Congress plenary session, Mallikarjun Kharge said that the Congress party belongs to everyone living in this country. He said that it was democracy that brought PM Modi to power but, ironically, his government itself has become a threat to democracy.
Congress party belongs to everyone who lives in this nation. With the visionary leadership of Shri Jawaharlal Nehru, Congress set up large-scale industries, irrigation projects and pushed the economy forward: Shri @MallikarjunINC #CongressPlenary #ChangeIsNow pic.twitter.com/f5dnDLs7Q6
March 17, 2018Inspired by Mahatma Gandhi, the Congress reached out to people across the country, inspired them to rise above all barriers, and mobilized them to form the world's biggest movement for independence: @MallikarjunINC #ChangeIsNow #CongressPlenary pic.twitter.com/cQEt5NlQvt
March 17, 2018Congress party led India to independence & helped establish democracy. It was democracy which brought PM Modi to power but, ironically, his Govt itself has now become a threat to democracy: @MallikarjunINC #CongressPlenary #ChangeIsNow pic.twitter.com/JPlxu1DM9b
March 17, 2018Congress Is India's Future, Says Rahul Gandhi
In his opening address at the 84th Congress Plenary session, Rahul Randhi said the symbol of the Congress was the only one “that can unite the nation and take it forward”. The Congress president accused the ruling BJP of using anger as a weapon.
They (the BJP) use anger, we use love. But one thing that I want to say is that this country belongs to everyone – and whatever the Congress will do will be for the benefit for all.Rahul GandhiThe country is tired of what is happening under the current Govt. Only the Congress party can show the way and heal divisions in the nation: Congress President Rahul Gandhi #CongressPlenary #ChangeIsNow
March 17, 2018The representatives of our party have fought hard to keep our ideology alive. The senior leaders of the Congress will guide the party youth and take us forward: Congress President Rahul Gandhi #CongressPlenary #ChangeIsNow pic.twitter.com/OVQc0Q4zv6
March 17, 2018The difference between our party and the incumbent ruling party is that they follow the ideology of hatred while we follow the ideology of love and fraternity: CP Rahul Gandhi. #CongressPlenary #ChangeIsNow pic.twitter.com/EJtYnWQS55
March 17, 2018The tradition of the Congress party is to embrace change without forgetting our past and legacy: CP Rahul Gandhi #CongressPlenary #ChangeIsNow pic.twitter.com/kduUJRapyW
March 17, 20182019 Vision Plan Will Be Talking Point: Priyanka Chaturvedi
Congress spokesperson Priyanka Chaturvedi told The Quint that the queries of the party workers will be heard and the motto of ‘change is now' will be propagated.
She also said that the agenda and vision plan for 2019 will be the talking point.
Rahul, Sonia, Manmohan at Plenary Session
Among others, Sonia Gandhi, Manmohan Singh and Meira Kumar arrived at the Indira Gandhi Stadium in Delhi for the Congress Plenary session on the morning of 17 March.
Here's @shashitharoor saying hello from the #CongressPlenary #ChangeIsNow pic.twitter.com/Sdhm8sZrTJ
March 17, 2018And it begins! Congress leaders Smt @meira_kumar and Smt Ambika Soni at the #CongressPlenary #ChangeIsNow pic.twitter.com/hmxQHwUDMk
March 17, 2018Rahul Gandhi's Twitter Handle Renamed
The official Twitter account of Congress Party president Rahul Gandhi has been renamed @RahulGandhi from the former @OfficeOfRG.
For those of you who missed it, my Twitter handle has changed from 9 am this morning to @RahulGandhi
March 17, 2018
The @OfficeOfRG account has been discontinued.
I look forward to your feedback and comments and to continuing my dialogue with you via Twitter and other platforms.Rahul Gandhi Welcomes Delegates
In a tweet on Saturday morning, Rahul Gandhi welcomed delegates and other guests to the Congress Plenary session.
Welcome delegates and distinguished guests to the #CongressPlenary.
March 17, 2018
Over the next two days I look forward to interacting with you and to sharing experiences and perspectives that will together help us build a stronger, more vibrant Congress party.
Jai Hind.Congress Plenary Session to Set the Tone For 2019
Sources told PTI that the party will adopt four resolutions – one each on the political situation, the economic front and the foreign affairs, besides a separate one on agriculture, unemployment and poverty alleviation. The party will highlight its vision on each sphere and compare it with the current situation.
The political resolution, the sources say, will also indicate the party's plans for forging coalitions with like-minded parties.Steering Committee Meets Ahead of Congress Plenary Session
Rahul Gandhi will present the party's vision and the way forward at the Congress Plenary session.
A meeting of the Congress Steering Committee was held at the Constitution Club of India in Delhi on 16 March, in the presence of Rahul Gandhi, Sonia Gandhi, former PM Manmohan Singh and other senior Congress leaders.
The plenary session is expected to set the tone for the party's poll strategy in the Lok Sabha and state Assembly elections where it seeks to oust the BJP from power, reported PTI.
Congress spokesperson Randeep Surjewala told ANI:
[The Congress Plenary session] will decide the direction of the party for the next five years. It will be a workers' plenary, the focus would be on workers and not leaders.Randeep Surjewala, Congress spokespersonAn inaugural session would be addressed by Rahul Gandhi on 17 March.
Since the Steering Committee will cease to exist after the plenary session, the new Working Committee (CWC) of the party will also be put in place soon.
There was no confirmation on whether the CWC would be formed during the session or after, but sources said it won't be an elected body and the party chief will select his own team, it was further reported by PTI.
(With inputs from PTI and ANI)
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