India
A united Congress wouldn't have lost the election, says Rahul Gandhi.
Updated : Dec 23, 2017, 06:50 PM IST
Addressing Congress party workers in Ahmedabad, days after narrowly losing in the Gujarat assembly election, Rahul Gandhi hinted that internal discord was the primary reason behind their defeat. Congress President said that if the party had worked unitedly, they would have emerged victorious. However, according to Rahul Gandhi's assessment, while around 80-85% workers gave their best shot, some remained aloof or worked against the party and resulted in the eventual defeat.
Congress significantly increased their seat tally and vote share in the recently concluded Assembly election restricting BJP to 99 seats in the assembly. However, even as Congress party did reasonaly well, many of its top leaders had to bite the dust. Alluding to it, Rahul Gandhi said that a new set of leaders have emerged who will be raising their voices in the Assembly. Congress President predicted that the party would win the next election under their leadership and get 135 seats.
Agar Congress ek saath khadi ho jaati hai, to wo haarti nahin hai. Chunaav mein humari haar hui, par hum jeete kyunki wo gusse se lade aur unke paas sab saadhan the. aur humare paas sach; hum pyaar se lade : Rahul Gandhi,Congress President addresses party workers in Ahmedabad pic.twitter.com/KVQzYHopVz
— ANI (@ANI) December 23, 2017
He also said that Congress may have lost the election, but has scored a moral victory because BJP had lot more resource to fight the polls. Also according to Congress President, they spoke the language of love during the elections, while BJP spoke the language of rage. Congress lost many seats by extremely narrow margin in the recently concluded election. The state-leadership is currently taking a stock of the results and Rahul Gandhi joined them on the third day of introspection session. He held review meet with leaders from all four regions of Gujarat. Congress did significantly well in Saurashtra, but couldn't maintain that surge in other regions.
Let me tell you about the reasons for our defeat. In the last 20 years, the BJP and Mr Modi have run a campaign of defamation against Congress party workers and leaders: Congress President Rahul Gandhi #ThankYouGujarat
— Congress (@INCIndia) December 23, 2017
If the Congress in Gujarat believes that it can win the elections, we will win. 70% of you believed this. We saw the results. You now know that Congress can win elections in Gujarat: Congress President Rahul Gandhi #ThankYouGujarat
— Congress (@INCIndia) December 23, 2017
Congress chief Rahul Gandhi today visited the Somnath temple in Gir Somnath district, ahead of his meeting with party leaders to introspect on the Gujarat Assembly polls. The Congress leader landed at Keshod Airport in Saurashtra and offered prayers at the temple which is about 420 km from the state capital. Gandhi ad visited the Somnath temple during the recent election campaign and his name was found written on the entry register meant for non-Hindus, kicking up a row. The Congress had called it "fake" and the BJP insisted that the leader declare his religious faith before people.
With PTI inputs