Rahul Gandhi takes charge as Congress president, slams PM for taking India back to medieval times

Rahul Gandhi has formally taken over as Congress president today. The party's Central Election Authority president Mullapally Ramachandran has handed over the Certificate of Election to Rahul Gandhi in the presence of his mother Sonia Gandhi and former PM Manmohan Singh.

He takes charge as Congress chief from Sonia Gandhi, who became Congress president in 1998 and steered the 132-year-old political party for 19 years.

Delivering his first speech as Congress President Rahul Gandhi said that "I'm an idealist. I joined politics because of my profound belief in my countrymen. Politics of our times is politics devoid of kindness and truth. It is devoid from people. Politics is being used to crush ordinary people, not to lift them up".

I wish to be part of an awakening to restore India's glory. They lie and they distort. People are being denied right to disagree. Their power his manipulative is destructive. They tried to weaken us. Stand up to them. Congress will never back down. We will defend the voice of every single Indians. Not one of them will be silenced. We will protect history, present and future of India, he said.

"Once you something on fire, it is very difficult to douse it. We have been trying to tell the BJP this. The only one trying to douse the fire is Congress. They preach hate and we preach love. Our dialogue will always be led by love and affection. All Congress workers are my family. I will give you my love from the bottom of my heart." he added.

We are a Grand Old Party, but in coming days we will make it Grand Old and Young Party. I invite the youth to build a compassionate and loving India, said the new Congress chief.

Attacking the BJP, Rahul Gandhi said that "Prime Minister is taking the country down the medieval path. BJP are soldiers fighting for themselves. We the Congress have been guided to serve the people. We consider the BJP our brothers and sisters, though we don't agree with them. We don't fight hate with hate. We will meet our challenges with love and affection. They might control the structures of power, but we are the bastion of the people."

"We fight for those who can't fight alone. This was the spirit of freedom movement and remains the same. They crush voice, we allow all voices. They defame, we respect. We are the bastions of people," he said.

"In 13 years of my political career, I have learned from all of you. Thank you for your lessons. It is with utmost humility that I accept this position, knowing that I will always be walking in the shadow of the giants," he ended the speech.

Rahul Gandhi's supporters outside the party headquatress are celebrating his taking charge as Congress chief with sweets (ladoos) laid out for all to have.

Visuals from outside Congress HQ in Delhi; sweets brought in, supporters continue to celebrate & raise slogans ahead of Rahul Gandhi's takeover as party President. pic.twitter.com/e62Fgumr7t

— ANI (@ANI) December 16, 2017

Sonia Gandhi, Priyanka Gandhi and Robert Vadra have arrived at the Congress headquarters for the 'coronation' of Rahul Gandhi as party president. The Congress scion is on his way with former PM Manmohan Singh.

Priyanka Gandhi Vadra & her husband Robert Vadra reach Congress HQ at Akbar Road ahead of Rahul Gandhi taking charge as party President. #Delhi pic.twitter.com/SKBGPBVKlY

— ANI (@ANI) December 16, 2017

Gandhi had been the party vice president for over four years since 2013.

On Friday, Sonia Gandhi announced her retirement as Congress president but not from politics. Asked what role she will assume after Rahul Gandhi takes over the reins of the party, she told media persons: "My role is to retire."

Sonia became Congress president in 1998 and steered the 132-year-old party for nearly two decades.

OneIndia News