P-A-N-I-C: Rahul spells out BJP's mood in Karnataka
May 10, 2018 11:27
Congress president Rahul Gandhi addressing a press conference in Bengaluru on the last day of the campaign trail in Karnataka. With him on the dais is incumbent chief minister Siddaramaiah. Responding to a barrage of questions on the upcoming elections, the tonality of the rallies, his Italian background, Gandhi said the election was not about him or the Congress, but about the spirit of Karnataka. Excerpts from the presser.
On his Italian background: Rahul said his mother, the former Congress president was Italian, but she had spent the better part of her life in India and was more Indian than a lot of Indians. She had suffered for the country.
On the BJP's statement that Rahul was an election Hindu: "Throughout the last 15 years, I've been visiting temples, mosques, gurudwaras, every religious institution I come across. BJP doesn't like this. I don't think they understand meaning of the term Hindu. It's a perspective. It's something which lives with you throughout."
On the Dalit issue: "We had said that Dalits are being beaten up and oppressed when Rohith Vemula was killed. ModiJi doesn't say a word. When Dalits are killed and humiliated in other parts of India, Modiji doesn't say anything. Congress will defend the rights of Dalits and raise this issue.
On atrocities against women: He said it was a political and a national issue. Mr Modi likes to discuss bullet train and other issues but does not like to discuss fundamental issues.
On the personal statements made by the PM at the rallies: Mr Modi has got anger inside of him. He is angry with everybody, not only me. I am a lightning rod for anger, I attract anger. But that is his problem. It is not my problem.
On the number of rallies the BJP senior leadership including the PM has held in the state: He said there was just one explanation to it, which, he spelt out saying P-A-N-I-C. I have been travelling around K'taka for few months now, we all stood together and fought campaign on fundamental issues.We've prepared manifesto which is truly voice of the people. Opposition has restricted itself to making personal remarks. We are confident of winning the elections.
On his Italian background: Rahul said his mother, the former Congress president was Italian, but she had spent the better part of her life in India and was more Indian than a lot of Indians. She had suffered for the country.
On the BJP's statement that Rahul was an election Hindu: "Throughout the last 15 years, I've been visiting temples, mosques, gurudwaras, every religious institution I come across. BJP doesn't like this. I don't think they understand meaning of the term Hindu. It's a perspective. It's something which lives with you throughout."
On the Dalit issue: "We had said that Dalits are being beaten up and oppressed when Rohith Vemula was killed. ModiJi doesn't say a word. When Dalits are killed and humiliated in other parts of India, Modiji doesn't say anything. Congress will defend the rights of Dalits and raise this issue.
On atrocities against women: He said it was a political and a national issue. Mr Modi likes to discuss bullet train and other issues but does not like to discuss fundamental issues.
On the personal statements made by the PM at the rallies: Mr Modi has got anger inside of him. He is angry with everybody, not only me. I am a lightning rod for anger, I attract anger. But that is his problem. It is not my problem.
On the number of rallies the BJP senior leadership including the PM has held in the state: He said there was just one explanation to it, which, he spelt out saying P-A-N-I-C. I have been travelling around K'taka for few months now, we all stood together and fought campaign on fundamental issues.We've prepared manifesto which is truly voice of the people. Opposition has restricted itself to making personal remarks. We are confident of winning the elections.
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