Sonia Gandhi: Rahul Gandhi is now my boss too
What's the story
While speaking at the Congress Parliamentary Party meeting, Sonia Gandhi wished her son Rahul Gandhi good luck for his new job as Congress president.
She quipped, "He is now my boss too. Let there be no doubt about that." She also urged party members to work with him "with the same dedication, loyalty and enthusiasm as you did with me."
Here's more on what she said.
Congress's future
'People are feeling disillusioned with the present regime'
Referring to Congress's tough fight in Gujarat and win in Rajasthan by-polls, Sonia said that "winds of change are coming." She is confident that these performances will spill-over to Karnataka, where Congress hopes to continue in power.
She urged party-members to buckle up and work towards "channelling the discontent" against Modi's government to create support for Congress.
She called the 2014 election-loss an aberration.
Anti-Modism
'An all-pervasive atmosphere of fear and intimidation has been created'
Sonia referred to the increasing incidences of communal tension and violence against minorities and Dalits.
She declared, "An all-pervasive atmosphere of fear and intimidation has been created. Liberal, secular and democratic traditions are being wantonly damaged. The pluralistic nature of our society, which has been its strength for centuries, is being eroded."
She claimed that democratic institutions like Parliament and judiciary are under attack.
Governance
'NDA government's philosophy is "Maximum Marketing, Minimum Delivery"'
Using PM Narendra Modi's favorite catch-phrase "Minimum government, Maximum governance" against him, Sonia remarked that the present government's theme is "Maximum Marketing, Minimum Delivery."
She said that they unveil new programmes and schemes often and "with the flourish of a magician." However, in reality, they are simply recycling UPA government's schemes, with catchy and colorful names.
She claimed they haven't achieved anything.
Quote
'In J&K, violence continues with zero development under Modi'
Sonia also slammed Modi for his government's J&K policy. She asked him apart from "combating cross-border terrorism forcefully, where is the developmental thrust, where is the political engagement that was so much in evidence when Dr. Manmohan Singh was Prime Minister?"
Strategy
Meanwhile, what would be Congress's strategy for 2019 polls?
To take on a combative and sharp-witted Modi, Congress has now become aggressive.
Further, with recent performances, it has signalled that it is the best anti-BJP bet.
However, along with Modi-bashing and harping on his undemocratic nature, it will have to scout for allies.
Will senior leaders like NCP boss Sharad Pawar and Bengal's CM Mamata Banerjee accept the novice Rahul as their leader?