Democracy is not rule by one man, says Rahul Gandhi at Congress meet: highlights

New Delhi: Congress vice president Rahul Gandhi addressed the All India Congress Committee (AICC) meet being held in New Delhi today.

Here are the highlights:

• An honour to speak to the soldiers of this great party
• Ten years of stability by UPA have given vast opportunities for youth
  For 10 years we have had the priviledge of Manmohan Singh's leadership; want to thank PM for the job he has done
• We have served the country selflessly 
• Democracy is not rule by one man
  
• Everybody says information is power. We gave power to nation through RTI
• Nobody pressured us to pass the RTI
• The Congress party stood up and said we need to do this and give every person in the country the right to know what is going on
• On Aadhar: We are first government to take action and say that the money belongs to you and it needs to be put in your account
• It will enable people to get their benefits and entitlement
• We transformed the Panchayati Raj system
• MNREGA transferred power to people
• I would like to thank Mani Shankar Aiyar as he was the one to stand by this
• Nobody can refuse a poor man when he goes for a job, for food 
• What the congress party delivered in the past 10 years is unmatched
  
• Tell me one step we have taken that has not empowered the country? 
• Everyone is young here- some are young in age, some young in heartToday MP and MLAs voice are not behind law making.
  
• Laws are being made by media, by judges, by everyone else except for those who have been elected to make those laws. We need to empower all of you and bring you back into law making
• We need to bring the voice of the MPs back in Parliament and the voice of MLAs back in the legislature
  
• Common people should be able to enter the political system with ease Today we live in a world where packaging is selling politics
• The change that is taking place before us is unstoppable
• Nobody is in the mood to accept less than what is their right. They want a fair deal and they deserve it
• Everybody spoke about the Lokpal, made a 'tamasha'. Who passed it? The Congress did
• We have six bills in Parliament that will transform the fight against corruption
• We do not respond by blocking Parliament sessions year after year, day after day
• These bills are going to transform the fight against corruption
• If these bills are implemented in spirit, dishonesty will be punished and honest officials will be protected
• Will ensure Opposition doesn't stall these bills
  
• We do not respond by turning people against one and other, by lighting the fire of communal violence
• We need to look for solutions not problems
• Congress workers will be given a say in party affairs
• We have to bring in the new generation, the young and new ideologies
• All Congress workers will fight this election
• Congress workers will be given tickets to fight polls, not those from other parties who come for tickets
• Will take views of dalit, tribals, workers, industrialists, youth, women and NGOs for drafting manifesto
• In last 10 years, we fought for the poor of the country
• 70 crore people above poverty line and below middle-class
• Congress party will fight for you (painters, masons, security guards, those who cannot afford education) and stand by you
• In the next five years, we will ensure you guys fall in the middle class category
• Education system will be open for all, in the next 5 years we will transform the country
• I want women empowerment and at the next AICC session want to see a majority out here, we promise 50% women reservation in state government
• Congress party will fight your battle, not just in our speeches, but we will also implement it
• PM, we need 12 subsidised cylinders in a year
• Let the Opposition say whatever they want to
• Their marketing skills are very good- there's glitter, song, and dance
  
• They are people who can sell combs to bald people and now someone has already started giving them a haircut. Don't fall into their trap
• Opposition leaders are fooling the people of the country
• Opposition said that they want a Congress-free India, but they aren't aware of the history of our country
• They have no knowledge about history
• Congress is not a party, it is a idea close to our hearts. It is an idea enshrined in India for 3000 years
• The constitution of India says PM is elected by MPs. We're a democratic party & we function in a democratic way
• I am a soldier of the Congress. I am willing to do whatever you want me to do
• We don't love our country because it is powerful or rich but because it upholds the ideals we wish to live by
• This country has always taught us how to remain united in adversity and to never give up
• There is a tough battle ahead of us. We'll go into this battle as warriors with our heads held high
• We will not lose courage, we will not stop till this battle is won