Congress brainstorms at Chintan Shivir

16:53 (IST)

00:00 Sonia Gandhi speaks: highlights

The Jaipur declaration is am imp document
This document is a map of our not too distant future
And if we follow this no one can stand in our way
If we are true to our ideology, then whatever we want to do we will achieve
I believe that when we go from here , we will with renewed vigour undertake what we are doing
I congratulate and thank you for your participation

16:41 (IST)

00:00 Rahul Gandhi starts speaking in English for South India: highlights

This morning I got up at 4 am and went to the balcony and thought I have a big responsibility
People are standing behind you, standing on your side - it was dark and cold - and I decided I will tell you about what I feel and not what you want to hear
When I was a boy I loved to play badminton because it gave me balance
I was taught to [play by two cops who protected my grandmother... then one day they killed her and took away the balance in my life
It was the first time in my life I saw my father crying - I could see he was broken
In those days our country wasn't what it is today
That same evening I saw my father address the nation on TV- I knew he was broken and terrified of what lay ahead - but as he spoke I felt a small glimmer of hopeToday as a look back I can see it was that small ray of hope that helped India achieve what it is today
Unless you have hope you cannot change a thing
Last night my mother came to my room because she sat with me and cried.. she cried because she understands the power so many seek is a poison
She can see it because she is not attached to it
We should not chase power for the attributes of power, we should only use it to empower the voiceless
We are no longer seen as worthless and we are seen as the future
Nations are raised on a foundation of hope - I see the Congress party as a embodiment of that hope
For me, the Congress party is my life, the people of India are my life and I will fight for the people and this party
I will fight with everything I have and I invite all of you to stand up and take on that fight

16:32 (IST)

00:00 "Yeh Gandhiji ka sangathan hai, isme Hindustan ka DNA bhara hua hai"

16:24 (IST)

00:00 Rahul Gandhi speech highlights (contd...):

India is more connected today than it has ever been - no longer possible to contain an idea whose time has come
Direct cash transfer will allow us to realise dreams with an empowering system - 99% of people's money can go to them
We prepare a revolution - giving people their due is bribing the country
They say because they are scared because they understand what adhaar can do, and more importantly what people in Congress can do
Balance of power must shift away to the PanchayatsCong must continue to wage a relentless battle against social prejudices against women, tribals
This is a party but is infact a family - maybe the largest not just in India but the world
I am optimistic because I see the compassion, the energy within you

16:23 (IST)

00:00 "We need the aam admi to participate in politics. There is a young and impatient India that is demanding a greater voice"

Rahul Gandhi speaks at the All India Congress Committee (AICC) session in Jaipur.

16:14 (IST)

00:00

Why is it that ministries do the work of Panchayats? Why does the SC do the work of lower courts?
No matter what state or which party, why do a handful of people control the entire space?
Power is grossly centralised in India, we only empower people at the top
I meet people in high positions with no understanding of issues - this happens because we don't respect knowledge, we respect position
No matter how much knowledge you have , if you don't have position you are not heard - this is the tragedy of India

16:10 (IST)

00:00

Rahul Gandhi speech (Hindi): highlights

I want to thank you all for the support shown to me.
It's a huge honour for me.. The party has taught me a lot in the last 8 years.
In 1947, India was liberated not by arms but by non-violence and through the voice of the people.
The Congress said we will use non-violence and sent the British home.
Gandhiji's successors ensured democracy was the bedrock of our Constitution.
Every Indian is going to be supported by the Congress, no matter what caste, religion.
The Green Revolution restored the voice of the farmer; the IT revolution literally gave people the voice.
Manmohan Singhji unleased the voice of thousands by giving entrepreneural rights.
For the first time, people are being ensured their rights.
Why is it that ministries do the work of Panchayats? Why does the SC do the work of lower courts?
No matter what state or which party, why do a handful of people control the entire space?
Power is grossly centralised in India, we only empower people at the top
I meet people in high positions with no understanding of issues - this happens because we don't respect knowledge, we respect position
No matter how much knowledge you have , if you don't have position you are not heard - this is the tragedy of IndiaMediocrity dominates discussion...
Success in these systems does not come through building but by excluding; not by pushing people forward but holding them back
Sab ko diktha hai, but we pretend it is not there
Corrupt people stand up and talk of eradicating corruption
People who disrespect women everyday talk of women's rights
We need the aam admi to participate in politics
There is a young and impatient India that is demanding a greater voice
The time has come to question the centralised, unresponsive systems - the answer is not to run them better but to transform them completely
India is more connected today than it has ever been - no longer possible to contain an idea whose time has come
Direct cash transfer will allow us to realise dreams with an empowering system - 99% of people's money can go to them
We prepare a revolution - giving people their due is bribing the country
They say because they are scared because they understand what adhaar can do, and more importantly what people in Congress can do
Balance of power must shift away to the PanchayatsCong must continue to wage a relentless battle against social prejudices against women, tribals
This is a party but is infact a family - maybe the largest not just in India but the worldI am optimistic because I see the compassion, the energy within you
Rahul Gandhi will work for everyone - youth congress, Mahila Congress
I promise you that I will treat everyone alike - try and listen and understand you
I have understood that in politics - we need to work in depth and not in a hurry. Change should be long-term
Congress is the largest political outfit in the world - but there are no rules here
We make new rules every two minutes - maybe no one here knows what the rules are
Even I ask myself how does this party win, how do they win elections?
Yeh Gandhiji ka sangathan hai, isme Hindustan ka DNA bhara hua hai
We do not focus on leadership development. In 5-6 years there should be a situation that if a chief minister is required in any state we have giants
We need 40-50 leaders who can run not just states but the whole country - each state should have 5-7 people who can lead it
If someone asks what the Congress does, we should say we build leaders for India - leaders who are backed by everyone in this country
When tickets are distributed the distric , block presidents are not asked - the decision is taken top down
People from other parties come in, lose elections and move on, workers see these leaders parachuting in
If leaders do not perform, someone else should be given a chance
Our people stand against us in elections, there are independents contesting - we need to take action against them
We know this but we don't implement, the day we do no one will be able to compete with us
We have no dearth of capability; we have lot of depth and that is seen in Parliament and everywhere else
I do not know everything, no one does, but there are millions of people and someone somewhere has the knowledge
I will look for that knowledge, I will ask senior leaders
I will work like a judge (impartially) and not like a lawyer

16:06 (IST)

00:00 Rahul Gandhi begins speech at the Congress Committee meets. Starts by thanking everyone for the responsibility given to him.

12:42 (IST)

00:00 We want peace but Pak must not jeopardise process: PM
Speaking to the his fellow Congress leaders in Jaipur, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh said peace and stability are key to foreign policy." We want good ties, but Pakistan too needs to take steps in that direction," he said.

12:25 (IST)

00:00 Congress' Jaipur Declaration: Key points
At the end of two days of intense debate, the Congress has prepared the blue-print of a roadmap for the general elections to be held in 2014. The party will adopt that as the Jaipur Declaration at the end of an All India Congress Committee or AICC session today.

11:59 (IST)

00:00

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh is speaking at the All India Congress Committee (AICC) session in Jaipur. Some highlights from his speech:

I have full confidence that this AICC session will give the Congress a new direction.
We need to project the government's work so far clearly to the people.
We need to reassure our youth that we understand their aspirations and shall meet them.
We have largely fulfilled the promises we made in the Congress's 2004 and 2009 manifesto.
We have been trying to bring in inclusive growth.
We have been particulalrly focused on the poor and underprivileged.
We have given more emphasis on agriculture and health and education in the rural areas.
Our efforts will show big results in the coming years.
Eradicating polio has been a major achievement.
Country's development under NDA was 5.5 per cent. Under UPA, the GDP grew over 8 per cent. We achieved this during global economic recession.
Our growth has slowed down but it's still far better than in other countries.
Rural landless farmers are the poorest of the people.

11:55 (IST)

00:00

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh begin addressing Congress workers and leaders in Jaipur

10:53 (IST)

00:00

10:43 (IST)

00:00 Sonia Gandhi: We need to clearly explain to the people why we are a better political choice. We have the support of all sections of the society. The Congress is especially concerned about the welfare of the backward sections, women and farmers.

10:40 (IST)

00:00 Sonia Gandhi: I assure you I will continue to press for a law for 30 per cent reservation for women in Parliament and assemblies.

10:40 (IST)

00:00 Sonia Gandhi: The barbaric gang-rape a young women in Delhi has shaken the country. She embodied the spirit of an aspirational India. We will ensure her death will not go in vain.

10:40 (IST)

00:00 Sonia Gandhi: Party must continue to lead battle against corruption.

10:39 (IST)

00:00 Sonia Gandhi: At the last AICC session, corruption was major issue. I laid out a five-point action plan then and the government worked on it. We have introduced Lokpal bill in Parliament. We have introduced new path-breaking legislation for addressing public grievances and to protect whistleblowers.

10:36 (IST)

00:00 Sonia Gandhi: The Chintan Shivir allowed us to introspect on key national and international issues.

10:29 (IST)

00:00 Sonia Gandhi begins addressing the gathering.

10:26 (IST)

00:00 Slogans of 'Rahul Gandhi Zindabad' heard at the session. Rahul waves to the gathering.

10:25 (IST)

00:00 AICC session begins with Janardhan Dwivedi's speech.

10:18 (IST)

00:00 Rahul Gandhi being greeted at the AICC session

10:14 (IST)

00:00 Draft Congress Jaipur Declaration: Dialogue with Pakistan must be based on accepted priniciples of civilised behaviour. When these are violated, India should not hesitate to take credible action.

10:12 (IST)

00:00 Sonia Gandhi to address Congress session shortly.

10:10 (IST)

00:00 Congress leaders gather for AICC session in Jaipur

10:04 (IST)

00:00 Draft Congress Jaipur declaration: Party acknowledges there is a rising educated and aspirational middle class, especially in urban areas. Will continue to create new opportunities for them.

10:00 (IST)

00:00 Draft Congress Jaipur declaration: The Congress will go to the people on the basis of performance of the UPA government and the promise of stability and good governance.

09:57 (IST)

00:00 Draft Congress Jaipur declaration: The Congress calls on all secular and progressive forces to unite in an ideological battle against those who polarise society.

09:03 (IST)

00:00 All India Congress Committee meet today at Jaipur. Sonia Gandhi to speak soon; Rahul Gandhi and PM Manmohan Singh also expected to address the gathering.

08:45 (IST)

00:00 Rahul Gandhi expected to make first speech as Congress Vice President today
After months of anticipation and clamour within the Congress, Rahul Gandhi has been appointed Vice President, as the party gets battle-ready for the general elections scheduled for 2014.

21:45 (IST)

00:00 I have great experience, we can transform this country: Rahul Gandhi

21:13 (IST)

00:00 Party workers celebrating Rahul Gandhi officially becoming No. 2 in Congress

20:59 (IST)

00:00 The BJP, which has been watching the Congress' Jaipur session keenly and commenting on it, was dismissive today about the announcement. "This is shocking and amusing that there's an announcement about Rahul Gandhi being made the Congress Vice President. May be tomorrow there will be an announcement that he has been made the senior Vice President or the acting President. The fact is, in Congress, it has always been about the Gandhi family. This is just an eyewash. But the BJP wants to know what Rahul Gandhi has to say about how women are being treated on the roads of Delhi, the price rise, corruption, the border issue etc. It looks like an eyewash to distract the nation."

20:57 (IST)

00:00 Defence Minister AK Antony moved the proposal to elevate Rahul Gandhi as the Congress' Vice President at the CWC which received unanimous endorsement.

"Forwarding the proposal, Mr Antony said that Congressmen have been demanding that Shri Rahul Gandhi should be given a bigger role. The CWC accepted the proposal and after their endorsement, Mrs Sonia Gandhi also gave her approval and Shri Rahul Gandhi accepted this responsibility," Congress spokesperson Janardhana Dwivedi said while briefing the mediapersons after the CWC meeting.

20:56 (IST)

00:00 The appointment was endorsed at the Congress' highest decision-making body, its working committee or the CWC, which met this evening at the end of the Chintan Shivir.

20:55 (IST)

00:00 Rahul Gandhi to be Congress Vice President
After months of anticipation and clamour within the Congress, Rahul Gandhi has been appointed as the Vice President, as the party gets battle-ready for Lok Sabha elections 2014.

17:02 (IST)

00:00 At 'Chintan Shivir', Congress leaders pitch for Rahul Gandhi as PM candidate
The stage is all set for Rahul Gandhi to take a "bigger role" in the Congress as well as government with the party's all-powerful Congress Working Committee (CWC) likely to discuss the issue on the final day of the Congress' Chintan Shivir in Jaipur today, sources have said.

17:02 (IST)

00:00 At 'Chintan Shivir', Congress leaders pitch for Rahul Gandhi as PM candidate
The stage is all set for Rahul Gandhi to take a "bigger role" in the Congress as well as government with the party's all-powerful Congress Working Committee (CWC) likely to discuss the issue on the final day of the Congress' Chintan Shivir in Jaipur today, sources have said.

14:09 (IST)

00:00 At Chintan Shivir, clamour grows for Rahul Gandhi as PM candidate
Voices pitching for Rahul Gandhi as the prime ministerial candidate in 2014 could be heard loud and clear on the final day of the Congress's Chintan Shivir in Jaipur today.

12:13 (IST)

00:00 Congress should keep pre-poll alliances to the minimum, Kamal Nath tells NDTV | NDTV.com
The Congress should keep pre-poll alliances to the minimum as it gears up for the 2014 general elections - that's the view of Kamal Nath, a key member of the party's political challenges committee.

11:12 (IST)

00:00 "Rahul Gandhi is our candidate for the 2014 election. He will represent the Congress party for the post of PM," Congress leader Sanjay Nirupam has said.

11:08 (IST)

00:00

On Day 2 of the Congress Party's 'Chintan Shivir' in Jaipur, which is devising a strategy for the next general elections, clamour is growing for Rahul Gandhi to be the PM candidate. While senior Congress leader Sanjay Nirupam said it unequivocally, other leaders said Rahul must take a bigger role now .

08:30 (IST)

00:00 Chintan Shivir: Congress leaders debate how to win back urban voters | NDTV.com
The urgent need to reconnect with alienated urban voters is one of the challenges before top Congress leaders as they brainstorm for the 2014 elections at the Chintan Shivir in Jaipur.

23:04 (IST)

00:00 Will Sonia Gandhi's tough talk galvanise the Congress?
The Congress President told the party that they cannot allow the disillusioned middle class to be alienated.

21:36 (IST)

00:00 Nirmala Sitharaman, BJP spokesperson says, "From the speech of Sonia Gandhi, they are already giving signs that they are missing an opportunity. An honest review does not seem to be in the offing. I say this as she has failed to acknowledge that the government lacks leadership, lacks integrity and certainly lacks direction."

21:36 (IST)

00:00 Digvijay Singh, Congress General Secretary, says "The sentiment of Congress worker is that Rahul Gandhi plays a larger and predominant role in the Congress... (But) Please allow Rahul to do his own thing. Let him define his role. Why to pressurise him?"

21:35 (IST)

00:00 P Chidambaram, Finance Minister, says, "To make the organisation energetic, all vacant posts of Congress block president should be filled by candidates below 35."

21:01 (IST)

00:00 Dialogue only on accepted principle of civilised behaviour: Sonia Gandhi on Pakistan at Chintan Shivir
Soon after External Affairs Minister Salman Khurshid said this morning that India would not let the recent tension along the Line of Control upset the peace process with Pakistan, Sonia Gandhi, president of the ruling Congress added, "Let us be very clear, dialogue must be based on accepted principles of civilised behaviour."

21:00 (IST)

00:00 Highlights of Sonia Gandhi's address

20:57 (IST)

00:00 At Chintan Shivir, Congress leaders from Kerala protest diesel price hike
The Congress faced embarrassing moments at its Chintan Shivir in Jaipur on Friday as members of the party's Kerala unit protested against the increase in diesel prices and waved red flags.

20:56 (IST)

00:00 At 'Chintan Shivir', Sonia Gandhi asks young Congressmen to be austere
Congress president Sonia Gandhi has provided the talking points for her party's brain-storming session that began in Jaipur this morning. As the party preps for the 2014 elections, its longest-serving chief set the tone by asking it to take stock of "strengths, weaknesses and threats," warning that the middle-class, with which the party hopes to reconnect, is "fed up with corruption that they face".