Democracy is not rule by one man, says Rahul

Congress Vice President Rahul Gandhi today made a blistering attack on BJP saying it believed in lighting fires of communal hatred and turning people against one another.

In a no-holds-barred attack on the main opposition, he told the delegates at the day-long AICC session that BJP believed in disrupting Parliament year after year and day after day in the last ten years stalling important legislations.

"Democracy is not rule by dictates.  Democracy is not rule by one man.  We will not respond by lighting fires of communal hatred and turning people against one another.

"We don't respond by proposing that structures of democracy be handed over to one man," he said in his 45-minute speech singling out BJP prime ministerial candidate Narendra Modi without taking his name.

Asked to head the party's election campaign by the CWC yesterday, Rahul Gandhi said Congress believed in Constitution and "our MPs will elect the new Prime Minister in accordance with the Constitution".

He also utilised the occasion to tell the prime minister that government should raise the number of subsidised LPG cylinders from nine to 12, an issue on which the party MPs have already been campaigning.

Rahul said the coming elections are a turning point in the country's journey and the Congress should transform itself by catering to the aspirations of the common man and ordinary worker."The option before us is not whether to change but when and how to change," he said to a thunderous applause from the delegates. 

Rahul also made a veiled attack on Aam Aadmi Party when he said the opposition is good at marketing their wares.

"They are good in selling combs to the bald.  Some new people have come, who have already started giving hair cut," he said.

In what can be considered as AAP effect, Rahul said 15 per cent of the Lok Sabha seats in his party will be given to candidates on the basis of decision by pradhans and Congress workers.

However, he disapproved of the system of giving tickets to party hoppers who come to Congress who come at the time of elections.

"We should be wary of those coming from outside and get tickets.  We should listen to the voice of the Congress workers and give tickets to those who are Congressmen by heart and thinking.

"It does not mean we close the doors of Congress for others.  We need new ideas and thinking to enrich the party," he said.

The Congress Vice President said the Congress manifesto for the coming elections will be broad based taking the views of people of villages, dalits, tribals, women, youth and NGOs. Till now the manifesto is decided by three-four people sitting in a closed room.

Talking about women's reservation and poor presence of women in the audience, he said 50 per cent of the Congress Chief Ministers should be women.

Spelling out what the party should do in the next three months, Rahul said 6 important anti-corruption bills should be passed in the coming session of Parliament which would punish the corruption and protect the honest. 

Rahul put to rest all debate on his being projected as the PM candidate saying Congress party is a democratic party and does things democratically.

"We will fight the elections and we will win also. Our Members of Parliament will choose their leader according to the Constitution," he said.

He said he is a soldier of the Congress.  "Whatever you say I am ready to do it," he said.

On Modi's favourite campaign theme of 'Congress-free' India, Rahul said the Opposition does not read history.

"The Congress party is an idea which resides in the heart of the people.  The theme of unity that has been there for over three thousands can be found in scriptures like Gita, Mahabharat, emperor Ashoka, Guru Nanak, Akbar and Gandhi. It is there in the minds of the people, you and me. It can't be erased."

At the outset, he highlighted three major achievements of the government like Right to Information legislation, NREGA scheme and AADHAR.

"Nobody pressured us to do the right to information legislation but we brought it despite the fact that our party and allies will be brought under scrutiny.  AADHAR is the biggest anti-corruption platform.  This money belongs to you and it should be put into your account."

Rahul thanked the prime minister for the job he has done to the country ans asked the party men to give a rousing applause to him.