Congress CWC meeting today LIVE updates: Congress president Rahul Gandhi with UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi at Gandhi Ashram, Sabarmati, in Gujarat on Tuesday (Express Photo: Javed Raja)
Addressing a public rally in Gujarat’s Gandhinagar, Congress President Rahul Gandhi assured that Congress will come to power in 2019 and help eradicate unemployment, waive off farm loans in Gujarat and other states. Launching a strong attack on Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the Congress Chief asked who was responsible for sending Masood Azhar back to Pakistan adding that Congress had jailed him but BJP freed him.
TRACK 2019 LOK SABHA ELECTION HERE
Congress general secretary Priyanka Gandhi also addressed her first political rally after assuming charges in Gandhinagar today. Asking the public to use vote as their weapons, Priyanka Gandhi asked them to pose right questions to the government. Attacking the Modi-led BJP government, she asked about promised employment, women’s safety and farm loans.
Earlier in the day, The Congress Working Committee (CWC) Tuesday resolved to “defeat the RSS/BJP ideology of fascism, hatred, anger and divisiveness”, during a meeting in Ahmedabad, Gujarat. Members agreed that “no sacrifice is too great in this endeavour to defeat the ideology of RSS/BJP, no effort too little; this battle will be won”.
The meeting, chaired by president Rahul Gandhi, was held two days after the Election Commission announced seven-phased Lok Sabha polls from April 11 to May 19, before counting on May 23.
2019 Lok Sabha elections live updates: Congress chief Rahul Gandhi with Priyanka Gandhi Vadra during a roadshow in Lucknow in February. The party will strategise for the 2019 Lok Sabha elections. (Express Photo: Vishal Srivastav)
The Bahujan Samaj Party is sticking to old-fashioned electioneering, shunning fancy “raths” and holograms, and keeping public relations companies that offer such “high-tech” options at bay, a party leader said.
Instead, the party will bank on public meetings by supremo Mayawati and booth-level campaigning by its workers.
In a seat-sharing pact with the Samajwadi Party and the Rashtriya Lok Dal in Uttar Pradesh, the party will contest from 38 constituencies in the state in the coming Lok Sabha elections.
The opposition Zoram People's Movement (ZPM) in Mizoram and the Congress have forged an alliance to contest the Lok Sabha election and an Assembly by-poll, Congress sources said Tuesday.
According to the understanding, which will be announced later, the Congress will field candidate in the lone Lok Sabha seat in the state and the ZPM will contest the Aizawl West-I assembly seat.
Crowd gathered at Congress Public rally in Gujarat. Source: INC
Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh dismissed any alliance with Aam Admi Party (AAP) saying that it will contest on their own.
Attacking the Modi-led BJP government, Rahul Gandhi asked, " Who sent Pulwama terror attack perpetrator Masood
Azhar to Pakistan." He said that Masood Azhar was sent in special aircraft and NSA Ajit Doval accompanied him.
I want to assure that in 2019 Congress will win and in each state, the party will implement minimum income for everyone," said Rahul Gandhi.
I want to assure that in 2019 Congress will win and in each state, the party will implement minimum guaranteed income, said Rahul Gandhi.
Gabbar Singh Tax (GST) can't be understood by our traders even today and if Congress comes to power, GST will be simplified into one tax, said Rahul Gandhi
Did people get Rs 15 lakh into their bank accounts as
promised by Narendra Modi, added Rahul Gandhi.
Refering to Rafale deal, Rahul Gandhi said, "Modi praises the airforce but Modi never tells that all the money is stolen from their pockets and put into bigger companies."
Within two days Congress party waived of farm loan in Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan and other states and we are committed to do that everywhere.
Gujarat's innovative spirit where small businesses are the backbone of its success, PM Modi eradicated that in a day.
Within two days Congress party waived of farm loan in Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan and other states and we are committed to do that everywhere.
Gujarat's innovative spirit where small businesses are the backbone of its success, PM Modi eradicated that in a day.
Earlier people used to seek justice from the Supreme Court but now Judges seek help from you. Institutions are under attack by the government.
After years Congress met in Gujarat because there's a fight for two ideology in the state. We chose Gujarat because Mahatma Gandhi and Gujarat made this nation, said Congress Chief Rahul Gandhi
This country is made on the foundations of love, harmony and brotherhood. Today whatever is happening in the country is very sad, said Priyanka Gandhi.
This country is made on the foundations of love, harmony and brotherhood. Today whatever is happening in the country is very sad, said Priyanka Gandhi.
"You have to think what this election means, what is your role? You're deciding your future. What is important here is how are we going to progress? Who will work for the farmers, who will work for the safety of women," said Priyanka Gandhi at the Rally in Gandhinagar.
In the resolution undertaken by the Congress Working Committee (CWC) on Tuesday, the party said that PM Modi is cynically exploiting issue of national security to divert attention from colossal failures."
"Deliberate attacks being made on constitutional and other safeguards for scheduled castes, scheduled tribes, OBCs, minorities," it added.
West Bengal Chief Minister and TMC supremo Mamata Banerjee announced a list of 42 TMC candidates for the upcoming Lok Sabha polls from the state. Asserting confidence, Mamata said that the party would win in every seat across the state.
Patidar Anamat Andolan Samiti (PAAS) leader Hardik Patel Tuesday joined the Congress during the CWC meeting of the party in Gujarat. (Express Photo by Javed Raja)
On the anniversary of Gandhi Ji’s historic Dandi March, the Congress Working Committee in Ahmedabad resolved to defeat the RSS/ BJP ideology of fascism, hatred, anger & divisiveness. No sacrifice is too great in this endeavour; no effort too little; this battle will be won.
Addressing press conference senior Congress leader Anand Sharma blamed the BJP and Prime Minister Narendra Modi for dividing the nation for political benefits. Sharma said, "The PM is playing with people's emotion for the electoral bank and we condemn it."
Rahul Gandhi will address a public rally in Gandhinagar shortly, along with UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi, former PM Manmohan Singh and party general secretary Priyanka Gandhi. Patidar leader Hardik Patel will formally join the party in the presence of these top Congress leaders. Here are some pictures from the venue (Express Photos: Javed Raja)
The rally is being held at Trimandir Ground, Adalaj, Gandhinagar
A poster reads 'We welcome Hardik Patel'
Hoardings of Indira, Rahul and Sonia
The members of the Congress Working Committee observed a minute of silence to pay respect to the CRPF personnel killed in the Pulwama terror attack on February 14. The CWC has resolved to "defeat the RSS/BJP ideology of fascism, hatred, anger and divisiveness". It added: "No sacrifice is too great in this endeavour to defeat the ideology of RSS/BJP; no effort too little; this battle will be won".
The Naveen Patnaik-led Biju Janata Dal (BJD) has questioned the holding of Lok Sabha and Assembly elections in Orissa in four phases for the first time, alleging that the Election Commission's decision was influenced by the BJP. Elections in Odisha will be held on April 11, 18, 23, and 29. Each day will see four to six Lok Sabha constituencies go to polls. Assembly constituencies will hold polls with respective Lok Sabha constituencies.
In other election news, Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal says the Lok Sabha elections in Delhi will be a mandate for full statehood. He has targeting the Centre for allegedly exploiting the national capital and alleged that it spends only Rs 325 crore on Delhi while Gujarat and Uttar Pradesh get Rs 26,000 crore and Rs 1.5 lakh crore, respectively.
Hardik Patel, who will formally join the Congress today in the presence Rahul Gandhi and other top leaders, is attending the CWC meeting in Ahmedabad. While announcing his decision, Patel had said: “I would also like to state that if there is no legal hindrance and the party decides to field me in electoral politics, I would abide by the party’s decision and contest the elections."
The Congress Working Committee, the highest decision-making body of the party, is meeting in Ahmedabad to finalise its strategy for the 2019 Lok Sabha polls. Two days after the EC's announcement, the meeting holds significance as it is being held in Prime Minister Narendra Modi's home state. Interestingly, the meeting of top leaders is being held in Gujarat after 58 years.
Congress chief Rahul Gandhi writes in the visitors' book at Gandhi Ashram, Sabarmati: 'A very inspiring place, Thank you for keeping the flame of our leader alive'.
At the Gandhi Ashram, Congress leaders paid respect to Mahatma Gandhi. Today marks the anniversary of the Dandi March, which was led by Gandhi on March 12, 1930. Top Congress leaders were present at the prayer meet, including A K Antony, Ghulam Nabi Azad, Ahmed Patel, Ashok Gehlot, Bhupesh Baghel, V Narayanasamy, Siddaramaiah, Tarun Gogoi, Harish Rawat and Oommen Chandy.
Also read | Congress anti-thesis of Gandhian thought, Mahatma wanted it disbanded: PM Modi on Dandi march anniversary
Here are some pictures from the prayer meet. (Express Photos: Javed Raja)
Congress chief Rahul Gandhi, UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi and former PM Manmohan Singh.
Priyanka Gandhi Vadra at the Gandhi Ashram, Sabarmati.
Congress leaders Siddaramaiah, Kharge, Ghulam Nabi Azad, Anand Sharma.
Patidar leader Hardik Patel will join the party today in the presence of Rahul Gandhi. Reacting strongly to the development, Gujarat BJP spokesperson Bharat Pandya said Patel had “spread venom and disharmony among communities” while acting as an “instrument of the Congress” till now, and he will now do it directly. Read more
Following the CWC meeting this morning, Congress chief Rahul Gandhi is holding a rally in Gandhinagar district. He is likely to be joined by Sonia Gandhi, Manmohan Singh and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra at the public meet. Former president of Gujarat Pradesh Congress Committee Arjun Modhwadiya tells The Indian Express: "This is the first time ever that the entire Congress top brass will be present at the party rally, which follows the CWC."
Three people from Gujarat have led Congress Working Committee since its inception — Mahatma Gandhi, Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel and UN Dhebar. Today, the party meets in Ahmedabad after nearly six decades to sound the poll bugle for the 2019 Lok Sabha elections. The home state of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the CWC today will firm up its final strategy for the high-stakes elections.
Congress leaders, including Rahul, Sonia, Priyanka, Manmohan Singh and Ashok Gehlot, are at the Gandhi Ashram in Sabarmati to hold a prayer meeting. The leaders landed at Sardar Vallabhbai Patel International Airport earlier this morning to attend the Congress Working Committee meeting. The CWC meet is being held in Gujarat after 58 years — the last was in Bhavnagar in 1961.
The Congress Working Committee meets in Ahmedabad today, two days after the Election Commission announced dates to the 2019 Lok Sabha polls. The meeting of top party leaders in Gujarat assumes significance as it is Prime Minister Narendra Modi's home state. Along with party chief Rahul Gandhi, UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi and former prime minister Manmohan Singh, Priyanka Gandhi Vadra will be in attendance as well. In fact, they just landed in Ahmedabad for the meet.