SONIA AS PM •Rahul: It’s the Congress to decide who will form an alternative government. The person who leads the Congress, chosen by the party, will become prime minister. SMALL PARTIES, BIG PLAYERS •Rahul: For a lot of smaller parties, they don’t care how they come to power. It’s very clear many of them, I will not name them, are making deals with the BJP. For instance, the Congress wanted a unified Opposition candidate against the PM in Lucknow, we know who did not back us at all. •Priyanka: We’ll see which parties are secular after the elections, during government formation. ON NDA GOVERNMENT •Rahul: I don’t care if I win or lose this election. I want to stop people from being distracted by dangerous issues like religious and caste hatred. I cannot let bigotry take over. •Priyanka: We took them on fairly forcefully on the sari stampede in Lucknow. They have to take responsibility despite the tragedy. We are not here to protect the government, PM nor make them comfortable about it. ON YOUNG INDIA •Rahul: Wherever I go, I only hear one plea, ‘Give us jobs.’ We have to bring back the manufacturing industry to create jobs in the rural sector. This government has frittered away our biggest asset—good, available labour, with their lack of vision and policies. •Priyanka: The young do not care about religion and politics nor will they put up with it. They simply want to get on with their lives. ON DYNASTY AND FOREIGN ORIGINS •Rahul: Only those who are afraid of my family bring the dynasty and foreigner issue. I have to ensure I’m committed, responsible, sensitive and capable. •Priyanka: Do I look like a foreigner’s daughter? ISSUES TO RAISE IN PARLIAMENT •Rahul: It’s fine to create islands of excellence in the service sector, but what about the rural poor? Today’s leaders have failed to bridge the gap between the two Indias, I will strive to do it. FAVOURITE INDUSTRY •Rahul: I will revive the auto industry as it creates thousands of jobs. FAMILY MATTERS • Rahul: My girlfriend is Spanish, not Venezuelan. Her name is Veroniqe not Juanita. She is an architect, not a waitress, though I do not have a problem with that. Proposed? Hmm. I am not sure when I will settle down. • Priyanka: I miss my kids but they visit me often when I am campaigning. FAVOURITE MOTTO • Rahul: Jai Hind! • Priyanka: Jai Hind!
