INDIA bloc represents 60% of nation: Rahul Gandhi

Rahul Gandhi claims Opp. INDIA alliance rep. 60% of India, more than BJP. Promises old age pension, gas cylinders & support for entrepreneurs if Congress comes to power. Alleges BJP & RSS trying to capture institutional framework of nation, using MNF & ZPM to gain foothold in Mizoram.

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on October 17 claimed that the Opposition INDIA alliance represents 60% of the country, more than the BJP does.

Mr. Gandhi alleged that both major parties of Mizoram — MNF and opposition ZPM — are being used by the BJP to gain a foothold in the Christian-majority State.

He promised old age pension of ₹2,000 per month, gas cylinders at ₹750 and support for entrepreneurs if the Congress comes to power in Mizoram, which is going to Assembly polls on November 7.

Addressing reporters in Aizawl, where he is visiting to campaign for party candidates, Mr. Gandhi said the opposition alliance will defend the “idea of India” by protecting its values, constitutional framework and freedom of people irrespective of religion or culture to express themselves and live in harmony.

Lashing out at the BJP and its ideological parent RSS, Mr. Gandhi said, “Their vision for our nation is different from ours. We believe in decentralisation whereas the BJP believes that all decisions should be taken in Delhi.” He asserted that the Congress will win all the upcoming Assembly elections in Mizoram, Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan and Telangana.

“We will decimate the BJP in Madhya Pradesh. We had wiped them out in Chhattisgarh and will defeat them again. We trounced the BJP in Rajasthan in previous polls and will repeat it this time. We will do the same in Northeast. Nobody should underestimate the idea of Congress,” Mr. Gandhi added.

Asserting that the Congress helped lay the foundation of the country and that the grand old party has a record of defending that foundation, he accused the BJP of attempting to capture the entire institutional framework of the nation.