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PM taking us back to medieval times, says Congress President Rahul Gandhi

All roads led to 24, Akbar Road since early morning on Saturday as the Congress prepared for the change of guard at its headquarters in New Delhi.

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Newly-elected Congress President Rahul Gandhi speaks during a ceremony at the party headquarters in New Delhi on Saturday. (AFP)
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All roads led to 24, Akbar Road since early morning on Saturday as the Congress prepared for the change of guard at its headquarters in New Delhi.

Celebration was in the air as party workers were seen dancing and bursting crackers ahead of the official elevation of Rahul Gandhi as president of the 132-year-old party.

The 47-year-old arrived at the venue in his trademark white kurta payjama teaming it with black half jacket.

Sharing the dais with his mother Sonia Gandhi, former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, Rahul Gandhi was beaming with confidence.

Sister Priyanka Gandhi Vadra and her husband Robert Vadra were seen in the front row.

Terming the moment as 'historic' Mullappally Ramachandran, the chairman of the central election authority of Congress, handed over the certificate of elevation to Rahul Gandhi amid loud cheers.

After Ramachandran's brief remark, former PM Manmohan Singh took the stage to congratulate Rahul Gandhi. He also took the moment to recall the stint of Sonia Gandhi as Congress president.

Though the spotlight was firmly on Rahul Gandhi, but his mother's emotional farewell speech managed to strike a chord with party workers.

In her 20-minute long address, Sonia Gandhi talked about assassinations of her mother-in-law Indira Gandhi and her husband Rajiv Gandhi. She recalled the difficult days and her initial years in Indian politics.

With a rousing standing ovation, the Congress gave its respect to the outgoing party president.

Then came the moment everyone was waiting for. In his first speech as Congress President, Rahul Gandhi talked about the 'politics of fear'. In an all out attack against the ruling BJP and the Prime Minister, Rahul Gandhi said that the Congress took India to 21st century, but 'the PM today is taking us back to  medieval times.'

He also spoke about how these days, people are being targeted for what they eat. The stinging attack clearly shows that the 47-year-old will not sit back but take aggressive stance in future.

The address also shows his confidence and the vision that he is providing the party for the 2019 Lok Sabha elections.

Congress trying to set an alternative political narrative will decide the future of Grand Old Party, which was reduced to just 44 out of 543 Lok Sabha seats in 2014. With just 8 per cent votes, it was Congress' worst performance ever. The same was seen in Sonia Gandhi farewell address when she said that 'we have lots many elections, but we won't bow down.' It is this self-realisation that will help the Congress in coming times and help the party to stay relevant.

In his address, Rahul Gandhi slammed the BJP for politics of hate. He said, 'They (BJP) crush voices but we allow them to speak, they defame, we respect and defend.' He also said, 'Those in BJP are soldiers fighting for self. Whereas the Congress is guided by service of community.' It is these statements clearly portraying the Congress as the party working for 'spirit of India' that may propel Congress to a course correction.


The big question remains – can Rahul Gandhi  put Congress back in power? What was seen in Gujarat – his temple visits or marathon public interactions – may have shown that he has finally arrived on the political scene, yet the Monday results may set new tone.

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