Modi scripting own downfall, Cong should fill the space: Rahul Gandhi

Even cited the example of Apple co-founder, Steve Jobs to his party men

Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi on Monday called upon party workers to work hard to reclaim “India’s soul” and party’s erstwhile stronghold Uttar Pradesh, where it has relegated to the fourth position.

The Congress has started its preparation for the Assembly elections to be held in 2017. The party conclave was held at Mathura, a key Hindu religious centre. Rahul sought to paint a rosy picture ahead for the party. He said, “By not fulfilling his promises, (Prime Minister Narendra) Modi is scripting his own downfall. We don’t need to do much.”

Keeping the Hindu vote bank in mind, Gandhi, visited the Banke Bihari Mandir in the city. Gandhi called upon workers to prepare themselves to fill  the vacuum that is bound to be created by Modi’s exit. “We have to make our place. Modiji is bound to go down but when he goes, we have to fill that space. You may keep on attacking Modi but Modi is attacking himself much more,” Gandhi said.

The Congress has been out of power in Uttar Pradesh since 1989 following the Mandal and Mandir agitations. To drive home his point, Gandhi narrated an anecdote of Apple’s Steve Jobs.

According to him, Jobs, as a child, had learnt the lesson of empowering right people with right jobs, so that they could work to their full potential. “That is what we need to do in the Congress,” he said, reminding them that the entire organisation was one family. “The party must work like Steve Jobs’ Apple and be open to all opinions and not just some leaders. We (Congress) allow people to have different ideologies, unlike the RSS (Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh). Every member’s voice is heard here.”

“It is unfortunate that our ideology that helped us build the nation is weak in the heart of India. Let’s bring that ideology to life once again and it will live through the country,” Gandhi said.

Among others who addressed the gathering included state Congress chief Nirmal Khatri and Congress legislative party leader Pradip Mathur. Party general secretary in-charge of the state Madhusudan Mistry was also present.