Holding a 'Google Hangout' with party workers, the first such interaction by any Congress leader, Gandhi also took a jibe at the main opposition party over reports of an internal war within BJP over candidatures of senior leaders including Modi.
"The talk of 100 seats is a joke and you have to understand that... The entire campaign of the opposition is to demoralise you. If you are not demoralised, we shall smash them.
To a query as to how Congress should fight communal forces if Modi and his party come to power, Gandhi said "we are going to win the next election. Therefore, BJP coming to power, their leader coming to power is a non-question."
"First of all, we fought in 2004. Every single opinion poll had said we are going to get thrashed. Congress had won that election. In 2009, every single opining poll said we are going to get thrashed. We doubled our tally.
Asking the partymen from different parts of the country "not to fall in the opposition trap", Gandhi described BJP as a "conservative" party, which belives in status quoism.
"If you look at our opposition, every single candidate is decided by one man. Their senior leaders are saying that every single candidate is decided by one man. They are heading in one direction and we are heading into an entirely another direction," Gandhi said extolling his and Congress' initiative of holding primaries to select candidates.
You’ve reached your limit of {{free_limit}} free articles this month.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
Already subscribed? Log in
Subscribe to read the full story →
Smart Quarterly
₹900
3 Months
₹300/Month
Smart Essential
₹2,700
1 Year
₹225/Month
Super Saver
₹3,900
2 Years
₹162/Month
Renews automatically, cancel anytime
Here’s what’s included in our digital subscription plans
Exclusive premium stories online
Over 30 premium stories daily, handpicked by our editors


Complimentary Access to The New York Times
News, Games, Cooking, Audio, Wirecutter & The Athletic
Business Standard Epaper
Digital replica of our daily newspaper — with options to read, save, and share


Curated Newsletters
Insights on markets, finance, politics, tech, and more delivered to your inbox
Market Analysis & Investment Insights
In-depth market analysis & insights with access to The Smart Investor


Archives
Repository of articles and publications dating back to 1997
Ad-free Reading
Uninterrupted reading experience with no advertisements


Seamless Access Across All Devices
Access Business Standard across devices — mobile, tablet, or PC, via web or app
