Rahul calls PM Modi ‘darpok’ at AICC convention, promises minimum guaranteed income for poor

With the Lok Sabha elections a few months away, the Congress President Rahul Gandhi on Thursday sharpened his attack on Prime Minister Narendra Modi, challenging him to a debate on national security and controversial Rafale deal.

“Narendra Modi is a coward, he will run away from debate,” Rahul Gandhi said, coming down heavily on PM Modi. He was addressing a national convention of the AICC minority department in New Delhi.

The Congress president also accused the government of eroding authority of key institutions in the country. “The institutions in India do not belong to any political party, they belong to the country, and to protect them is our responsibility. Be it Congress or any other party. They (BJP) think they are above the country, in three months, they will understand that the country is above them,” he asserted.

“I want to assure you that the Congress will win 2019 general elections, we will work together, not only the Congress, but everybody will work together and we will defeat the BJP and divisive forces and empower common man,” he exuded confidence.

“This country belongs to all. Congress party is going to defeat Narendra Modi and his party BJP in 2019 Lok Sabha polls. The duties of a Prime Minister enjoin upon him to bring everyone together, not divide people. If he divides people, he will be thrown out of the power,” Rahul Gandhi added.

Referring to Congress activists and leaders who are preparing party’s election manifesto, he invoked party’s commitment towards empowerment of the common man. “They told me that we can work on the minimum guaranteed income. We will directly deposit the amount under minimum guaranteed income to the bank accounts of intended beneficiaries,” said Rahul Gandhi, asking, “You accept that the reputation of Narendra Modi was very good? You accept that Narendra Modi today is a thief and he can't even speak?”

Maintaining that all the major development projects such as the white revolution, green revolution, economic liberalisation or revolution in the information technology sector, he said all the initiatives were undertaken during the Congress’s rule. “All the major welfare programmes too were initiated and implemented by the Congress. Whenever there is a crisis or a difficult situation, the people of this country naturally look up to the Congress,” he stated, adding that “The assembly results in the three states of Rajasthan, Chhattisgarh and Madhya Pradesh have proved it.”

“Its the responsibility of Congress and other parties to uphold the Constitution. RSS wants to keep aside the Constitution and run the country from Nagpur,” said Rahul Gandhi, adding that PM Modi is being remote controlled by RSS supremo, Mohan Bhagwat.