Modi government spreading hatred and anger, says Rahul

Congress president Rahul Gandhi on Saturday lashed out at the Narendra Modi government at the Centre saying divide, hatred and anger are being spread in the country. In his inaugural address at the two-day plenary session of the party in Delhi, Gandhi said: “It's our duty to unite and bind India together.”

This is the 84th plenary session of the grand old party that the 47-year-old Gandhi took over as chief in December 2017.

"They (BJP) uses anger we use love but one thing that I want to say is that this country belongs to everyone and whatever Congress will do will be for the benefit for all," Gandhi said.

He said the nation was tired and looking for a way out, and added that only the Congress could show the way ahead. "The symbol of the hand is the symbol of the Congress party. Congress party can unite the nation and take it forward. Only the Congress party can show the way and take the nation forward," he said.

Gandhi said the tradition of the Congress party is to embrace change without forgetting our past and legacy. "Congress will move forward with the support of party veterans and the youth. My job is to take them together."

Earlier in the morning, Gandhi tweeted: "Welcome delegates and distinguished guests to the Congress Plenary. Over the next two days, I look forward to interacting with you and to sharing experiences and perspectives that will together help us build a stronger, more vibrant Congress party.”

Senior leaders, including UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi, former prime minister Manmohan Singh, former finance minister P. Chidambaram, Ghulam Nabi Azad were among those present.

The plenary session is being held after eight years. It will ratify Rahul Gandhi's election as the party president and outline the party's strategies to oust the Narendra Modi government in the 2019 Lok Sabha polls.

With inputs from agencies