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INDIA bloc represents 60% of nation: Rahul Gandhi
The Hindu
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.
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The Opposition Congress demanded that the government open the Gandhi Vatika Museum, depicting Mahatma Gandhi’s legacy and freedom struggle, built at a cost of ₹85 crore in Jaipur’s Central Park last year, during the Congress-led regime in Rajasthan. The museum has not been opened to the public, reportedly because of the administration’s engagements with the State Assembly and Lok Sabha elections.
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Almaya Munnettam (Lay People to the Fore), group in the Ernakulam-Angamaly Archdiocese of the Syro-Malabar Church opposed to the synod-recommended Mass, rejected a circular issued by Major Archbishop Raphael Thattil and apostolic administrator Bosco Puthur on June 9 to implement the unified Mass in the archdiocese from July 3.
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Pakistan coach Gary Kirsten stated that “not so great decision making” contributed to his side’s defeat to India in the Group-A T20 World Cup clash here on Sunday. The batting unit came apart in the chase, after being well placed at 72 for two. With 48 runs needed from eight overs, Pakistan found a way to panic and lose. “Maybe not so great decision making,” Kirsten said at the post-match press conference, when asked to explain the loss.