“India Faces Bankruptcy Of Vision”

Former Congress president Rahul Gandhi on Friday said the country faces “bankruptcy of vision” for what its future should be and claimed that his party was against creation of monopolies and wanted fairness.

“India now faces a bankruptcy of vision for what the future of our country should be,” he said on Twitter. “We are for corporate India. We are against the idea of massive monopolies. We are against unfairness, be it against farmers or MSMEs. We will act to ensure fairness prevails,” Gandhi also said.

The former Congress chief has hit out at the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) for “not giving a vision” to the country and accused it of promoting hatred and divisiveness among people. He has also accused the BJP of working for the interests of only a few big businessmen.

Meanwhile, keeping his cards close to his chest, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Friday said he has made the decision whether he wants to become the next party president or not and asserted he will give his reasons if he does not contest the upcoming elections.

Gandhi was asked a slew of questions at a press conference in Kanyakumari on whether he would assume the mantle of party president and he repeatedly said he would give an answer if he does not enter the fray, indicating that there is more likelihood of him sticking to his stance of not taking up party chief’s post.

He also said the Bharat Jodo Yatra will help in forging Opposition unity even though that is a separate exercise. “It is the responsibility of the entire Opposition to come together and discussions are in progress,” he added.

On whether the Yatra will strengthen the Congress and lead to its revival, Gandhi said the goal of the march is to connect with the people, counter the “damage that the RSS-BJP has done to the country and the hatred they have spread”.

“Now, if the Congress party benefits from the Yatra, that is good,” he added.

Asked if the battle of ideologies he often talks about has entered a decisive phase, Gandhi said this battle has been going on for a couple of thousand years now between two different visions. “There have always been two different visions of India. One vision, which is rigid, controlling and another vision, which is plural, open-minded and I think, this battle will continue. We are playing our role in this fight,” he said.

Gandhi also alleged that the BJP has taken control of all the institutions of this country and have inserted their people in most of the institutions and they pressurize (others) through these institutions.

“You know the role of the CBI, of the ED, of the Income Tax Department. So, we are not fighting a political party anymore; we used to fight a political party. Now, the fight is not between one political party and another political party. Now the fight is between the structure of the Indian state and the opposition and everybody understands this,” he said.

“This is not an easy fight. This is a difficult fight. Media is not with the opposition. Not because you don’t want to be, but, because you are under pressure, your owners have particular relationships, so this is not an easy fight and a lot of people don’t want to fight, lot of people feel, why get caught up. It is easier, to let go, make peace with the BJP, fold hands in front of them, and your life will be easier,” he said.