In Meghalaya, Rahul Gandhi attacks BJP; questions how many leadership positions are with women in RSS

The Congress President Rahul Gandhi on Wednesday attacked Bhartiya Janata Party (BJP) and Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) in poll-bound Meghalaya saying, they are attempting to undermine the culture and way of life of the people.

The Congress president is in Shillong to kick off the election campaign of the party.

"We are fighting RSS ideology across the nation," Rahul said.

The Congress leader said that what BJP and RSS are doing in all over India and particularly in North-east is attempting to undermine your culture, language, and way of life.  

"Be proud of your heritage, your language, your culture and your religion. We stand together to defend your culture and your way of thinking," he said.

Attacking RSS, Rahul Gandhi questioned how many leadership positions are with women in RSS.

Stating that the RSS idea is aimed at dis-empowering women, he said, "Does anyone know how many leadership positions are with women in RSS? Zero. If you see pix of Mahatma Gandhi you'll find women on this side (right), this side (left) but if you see pix of Mohan Bhagwat, he'll be alone or surrounded by men.

"One of the most important things to be done in the Congress is to balance the number of men we put to fight the election and the number of women. I would like to invite women to join the party in Meghalaya so that we have more and more women to choose from," he added.

On Tuesday, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) attacked Rahul Gandhi after he was seen wearing a black jacket, costing nearly Rs 70,000.

However, hitting back at the BJP, the Congress party called it the BJP's desperation to bring down the Congress party president's popularity and image.

Gandhi, who has been campaigning in Meghalaya for the forthcoming assembly elections, was seen wearing a jacket, apparently from a British luxury fashion brand, which the BJP claims is priced at nearly Rs. 70,000.

Speaking to ANI, Congress leader Renuka Chaudhary laughed away the BJP's claims and said she could produce the same jacket for Rs. 700 for Prime Minister Narendra Modi if he wants, and added that only I don't have his measurements other than chappan inch chaati (56 inch chest).

The polling for the 60-member state assembly will take place on February 27 along with Nagaland. The results will be declared on March 3.