Rahul my boss too, will work with 'like-minded parties' to

Image
Press Trust of India New Delhi
Last Updated : Feb 08 2018 | 12:31 PM IST
Declaring that Congress president Rahul Gandhi was her boss too, Sonia Gandhi today said the process to revive the party's fortunes had begun and she would work with "like-minded parties" to ensure the BJP's defeat in the next elections.
The Congress Parliamentary Party (CPP) chairperson launched an all-out attack on the BJP and the Modi government and alleged that the government was orchestrating violence against minorities to polarise society for narrow political gains.
This would be seen in Karnataka too, which goes to the polls in a few months, the former Congress president, who handed over the party's reins to her son after 19 years in December last year, told the CPP.
Sounding an upbeat note, Gandhi told party MPs to work with dedication, loyalty and enthusiasm with Rahul Gandhi to strengthen the party and said he was her boss to.
"We have elected a new Congress president and on your behalf and on my own, I wish him all the very best. He is now my boss too - let there be no doubt about that - and I know that all of you will work with him with the same dedication, loyalty and enthusiasm as you did with me.
"I am confident that we will work cohesively under his leadership to revive our party's fortunes. That process has begun," she said.
Gandhi also dubbed the Modi government as one not in sync with reality.
This, she said, was evident in the prime minister's speech in the Lok Sabha yesterday.
As CPP chairperson, she said she would work with the Congress president and other colleagues "in discussions with like-minded, political parties to ensure that in the next election, the BJP is defeated and India is restored to a democratic, inclusive, secular, tolerant and economically progressive path".
Minorities, the Congress leader added, feel unsafe and are subjected to barbarous attacks, even as Dalits have come under renewed and widespread atrocities, as have women.
"In many cases this violence, specially against minorities and Dalits is not sporadic or random, but orchestrated to polarise our society for narrow political gains."
This was witnessed in both Uttar Pradesh and Gujarat and would no doubt be seen again in Karnataka, she said.
"Such polarisation is criminal in a democracy, yet those in power look the other way," she said.

Disclaimer: No Business Standard Journalist was involved in creation of this content

*Subscribe to Business Standard digital and get complimentary access to The New York Times

Smart Quarterly

₹900

3 Months

₹300/Month

SAVE 25%

Smart Essential

₹2,700

1 Year

₹225/Month

SAVE 46%
*Complimentary New York Times access for the 2nd year will be given after 12 months

Super Saver

₹3,900

2 Years

₹162/Month

Subscribe

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

More From This Section

First Published: Feb 08 2018 | 12:31 PM IST

Next Story