<p>Senior Congress leader AK Antony on Wednesday sought to debunk criticism about his party's diminishing clout, saying that one cannot defeat the Narendra Modi government without the Grand Old Party. </p>.<p>"I am an optimist. In 1977 elections after the Emergency, we were completely wiped out. But we came back. Don't underestimate the Congress," Antony told a press conference, a day ahead of the leader shifting base from Delhi to Kerala. </p>.<p>Asked about Congress' role in the Opposition and the fight against the BJP, he said without Congress, one cannot bring change. </p>.<p><strong>Also Read | <a href="https://www.deccanherald.com/national/national-politics/one-man-show-vs-grand-old-party-what-didnt-work-between-prashant-kishor-and-congress-1104322.html" target="_blank">One-man show vs grand old party: What didn't work between Prashant Kishor and Congress</a></strong></p>.<p>"Congress represents certain values. Unless that party plays a major role you cannot change the government at the Centre," he said. </p>.<p>Queried about Congress prospects and plans ahead, he said the party is holding a Chintan Shivir and decisions will be taken there to transform the party. </p>.<p>"We are preparing a roadmap. Show some patience," Antony said to repeated questions on Congress plans. </p>.<p>He said the Gandhis are the "powerhouse" and "guiding force" of the Congress and they represent the ideals of the party. </p>.<p>Antony, a family loyalist, added, "without them congress will not be acceptable to 99% of the congress workers. That is my view. You can't have a leadership in Congress without the Nehru-Gandhi family."</p>.<p>Asked about developments related to election strategist Prashant Kishor, he said he did not want to comment. </p>.<p>He also said he had on several occasions was critical of the Gandhi family but they never was angry with him or targeted him. </p>.<p>"I had criticised them. I had criticised Indira Gandhi. She had only encouraged me. If they are vindictive, I would have been the first to be targeted," he added. </p>.<p><strong>Check out DH's latest videos:</strong></p>
<p>Senior Congress leader AK Antony on Wednesday sought to debunk criticism about his party's diminishing clout, saying that one cannot defeat the Narendra Modi government without the Grand Old Party. </p>.<p>"I am an optimist. In 1977 elections after the Emergency, we were completely wiped out. But we came back. Don't underestimate the Congress," Antony told a press conference, a day ahead of the leader shifting base from Delhi to Kerala. </p>.<p>Asked about Congress' role in the Opposition and the fight against the BJP, he said without Congress, one cannot bring change. </p>.<p><strong>Also Read | <a href="https://www.deccanherald.com/national/national-politics/one-man-show-vs-grand-old-party-what-didnt-work-between-prashant-kishor-and-congress-1104322.html" target="_blank">One-man show vs grand old party: What didn't work between Prashant Kishor and Congress</a></strong></p>.<p>"Congress represents certain values. Unless that party plays a major role you cannot change the government at the Centre," he said. </p>.<p>Queried about Congress prospects and plans ahead, he said the party is holding a Chintan Shivir and decisions will be taken there to transform the party. </p>.<p>"We are preparing a roadmap. Show some patience," Antony said to repeated questions on Congress plans. </p>.<p>He said the Gandhis are the "powerhouse" and "guiding force" of the Congress and they represent the ideals of the party. </p>.<p>Antony, a family loyalist, added, "without them congress will not be acceptable to 99% of the congress workers. That is my view. You can't have a leadership in Congress without the Nehru-Gandhi family."</p>.<p>Asked about developments related to election strategist Prashant Kishor, he said he did not want to comment. </p>.<p>He also said he had on several occasions was critical of the Gandhi family but they never was angry with him or targeted him. </p>.<p>"I had criticised them. I had criticised Indira Gandhi. She had only encouraged me. If they are vindictive, I would have been the first to be targeted," he added. </p>.<p><strong>Check out DH's latest videos:</strong></p>
