CPI targets Rahul Gandhi, says 'non-starter' PM can't address public meetings

Communist Party of India (CPI) leader Atul Kumar Anjan on Monday took a jibe at Congress vice president Rahul Gandhi, saying a 'non-starter' Prime Minister cannot address public meetings.

"Now, the political parties and leaders and especially these Congress leaders, they are avoiding to hold the public meetings. We have non-starter Prime Minister, he can't address the public meetings," said Anjan.

"Earlier, Jawaharlal Nehru, Indira Gandhi and even Narasimha Raoji, they used the public meetings to convey their messages to the people. But now, people are holding media conclaves," he added.

Anjan, who was commenting on the Congress media conclave being held in the national capital, said the ruling party at the Centre is not concerned about connecting itself with the marginalized and poor section of the society.

"They don't believe in winning the hearts of the socially and backward people," he added.

The CPI leader also used the occasion to take potshots at the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).

"It seems that a war is going on between the Congress and the BJP how to trap the media into their folds. Everyday in and out, the BJP people are trying to woo the media. I think the media has to play a very vital role, but it should not be subjective one; it must be an objective and at the same time based on the reality," said Anjan.

"In a democratic system to woo the voters and to create an atmosphere for party which wants to win the election or attract the people, they are using all methodology and such types of conclaves are being media conclaves," he added.

As national elections draw closer, the Congress Party is holding a two-day media conclave beginning today seeking to tone up its communication strategy in states and propagate the UPA's achievements among the masses.

Several Congress veterans will address the key sessions during the two-day programme.

A statement from All India Congress Committee (AICC) said the party will also unveil its social platform 'Khidki' for about 200 spokespersons from across the country, encouraging them to use it as a window of opportunity, besides giving them lessons in the do's and don'ts of electronic media.

The programme will also conclude with round-table discussions in ten groups organised for spokespersons from states and NSUI and Youth Congress representatives on a host of current topics.