Ahmedabad, Dec 23 (DHNS): An upbeat Congress President Rahul Gandhi on Saturday said the party's "lost and won" performance in Gujarat had given Congressmen the confidence to win in coming elections.
Participating in the final leg of a two-day review of the Gujarat polls here, he claimed that his party would win 135 of the 182 Assembly seats in the 2022 Assembly polls in Gujarat.
Rahul said that three-four months ago, no one gave Congress any chance in Gujarat. BJP went to the extent of claiming that they would win 150+ seats. "My main challenge was that if Gujarat Congress believes that it is going to win, then it would win. You believed in it 70% and can see the results. Now Gujarat Congress has confidence. Now you know that you can win. Now just wait for the results of (2019) Lok Sabha and (2022) Assembly elections. It will be a great result. All those sitting here will be in government," he said.
"We lost in the elections but we have won. This is the reality. We won because they fought those with anger, money, police, chief ministers and industrialists. We only had truth. We showed the entire country that Congress can fight and win," he said.
Congratulating BJP for its victory in the state and accepting Opposition role, Rahul claimed that the new BJP government would work for 5-6 industrialists and "snatch lands" of farmers. "What we talked about Gujarat government in the elections is truth and the fight has not ended. Farmers, women and youth have voted for us…You have to show that Congress legislators fight for people, their issues and do not take a step back," Rahul said.
Rahul said that Congress in the state had been able to take away the "development" plank of Prime Minister and BJP. "They stand exposed on this. In the end he (PM) talked about himself all the time. The entire country knows it and they cannot use it (development plank) anywhere," he added.
Addressing elected legislators, defeated candidates and party workers at the meeting, Rahul said, "You fought well. The tickets too were distributed fairly, except for a few mistakes that happen," he said.
Thanksgiving
Rahul, who landed at Somnath on Saturday morning, paid a visit to the famous temple of Lord Shiva, before reaching Ahmedabad for the review meeting. Among reasons that many Congressmen enlisted for Congress not making it to the finishing line, included usual excuses such as aspersions against functioning of EVMs, mistakes in selection of some candidates or giving in too much to three young leaders - Hardik Patel, Alpesh Thakor and Jignesh Mevani.
"All three of us have won 53 seats for Congress and of the 29 seats I campaigned in, we have won 23. Perhaps, if I had time to travel to 20-30 more constituencies, we could have won more," Alpesh Thakor said on the sidelines of the meet.
Comment on this article
Vineet, Mangalore/Dubai
Sun, Dec 24 2017Even if you don't tell this, people will watch you what is the fate of you and your party in 2019 elections.!!!! Your party has to think of 60+ old years which was its golden era to loot this country. Don't keep reminding us to watch you......
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N.M, Mangalore
Sun, Dec 24 2017I like this new approach of Rahul Gandhi. He is teaching the young Congress leaders that 'you don't fight for revenge, you fight for respect and pride.'
BJP fights dirty and believes in below-the-belt tactics, but its good to see Congress fight clean and adopt a 'never say die' attitude.
My best wishes to Rahul and his young Turks.
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Dinesh, Dubai
Sun, Dec 24 2017but i dont think karnataka voters will give you confidence.. they already desided this time dongi kahngi muktha karnataka.
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Indian, India
Sun, Dec 24 2017U lost both Gujarat as well as Himachal Pradesh
so it should be "Lost and Lost" not "Lost and Won"
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Michael, Mangalore
Sun, Dec 24 2017This is the serious thinking RG has to do while Jignesh claims that all three of them have won 53 seats for Congress. This claim undermines the claim of Rahul Gandhi that he is a serious contender in 2019 general elections.
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Ramesh S, MANGALORE
Sun, Dec 24 2017..what lost n won performance..Congress lost every state whether its after one term or two term..BJP was in power for Gujrat for record 5th term, congress not able to dislodge it..if is not about Development, good administration then what..are people fools..a small state Himachal not able keep, this guy talks about performance..i dont think he can keep Karnataka also...
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Nithya, Mangalore
Sun, Dec 24 2017On congress president Election Day
Congress leaders to supporters - Today our Rahul beat bigwigs like Scindia, Pilot, Tharoor to become president of party.
Supporters - Long live the king..
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Akul, Mangalore
Sun, Dec 24 2017You are right Pappu...
In Gujarat you are in opposition and in 2019 election also you will be in opposition...
Kabhi Kabhi sahi bolte ho...
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Ravi C, Mangalore
Sun, Dec 24 2017Yes because most of us will go with lies then honesty..
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Jossey Saldanha, Mumbai
Sun, Dec 24 2017Rahul has to takeover from Modi before he crashes our Economy ...
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C.T.Thomas, Nandalike
Sun, Dec 24 2017I think you have to wait for another 7 more years to see the current PM being replaced. Perhaps if people want a change after 10 years of BJP rule , they might contemplate. Provided Cong survives this then. Thats the ground reality.
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Mohammed, Bajpe/Riyadh
Sun, Dec 24 2017So you have been saying this pre 2014. Looks like , you will have to live with this for another decade.
Thats how things are looking at the moment. RG has tried every trick in the book but has failed.
Cong is slow turning towards Soft-Hindutva for survival. The great leader is still on a temple run.
Better to welcome Mr. Owaisi into the state.
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