With the victory in Karnataka Assembly elections, senior Congress leader Rahul Gandhi said that the grand old party will surprise everyone in the crucial 2024 Lok Sabha elections as there is a hidden undercurrent building within the country.
He also slammed the BJP-led Central government over the clean chit to China that not a single inch of land has been lost, saying that it is unacceptable but Prime Minister Narendra Modi thinks otherwise.
In an interaction with the media here on Thursday, the former Lok Sabha MP to a query about the given strength of the BJP, will the grand old party willing to form a coalition government if it does not lead in next year's general elections, said, "These are the questions that need to be asked to Congress President."
"But I think Congress will do very well in the next election and it will surprise everyone. There is a hidden undercurrent building and I think we will surprise people," Gandhi added.
He said that he is not entirely convinced about this idea that Narendra Modi will win the elections, it is not simple as people make out.
"If you do the math, opposition will defeat the BJP without any electoral math," he added.
To another question about the clean chit to China on intrusion on Indian land, the Congress leader said, "The fact of the matter is that China has occupied our territory and it is a fact that 1,500 sq. km has been occupied by them. It is unacceptable and the Prime Minister thinks otherwise. May be he knows something we don't know."
To another question about the prominence of a Hindu state, he said that there is a fight on in India as there are two visions of India.
He said first there is a vision BJP has, which is centralising and polarising vision.
"And there is a second vision which is equally powerful, in fact if you ask me much stronger but not expressing that effectively right now which is a decentralised view and embracing vision. A sensitive compassionate vision. And I am totally convinced that this is a transitional phase and true nature of India, true democracy of India will triumph," he added.
The Congress leader said that we have gone through this phase and the "party has faced exact same thing in 1930's and we have decimated and we will do that again".
Asked about the role of international community, he added that "its our job, our business and our work to fight for democracy in India and it is something we understand and we do".
"But the thing to remember is that Indian democracy is a public good. India is large enough and collapse in democracy in India will have an impact to the world. So that is on you to think about that how much you value democracy in India but for us, its an internal matter and we are going to fight and we are going to win," he said.
Gandhi also added that Muslim League is completely a secular party and there is nothing non-secular about the Muslim League. He made the remarks while responding to a question on the Congress' alliance with Muslim league in Kerala, from where he was elected as a Lok Sabha MP.
To another question if India will act as centre between Russia and the US, he said, "India has to do what is in its interest. We are committed to a democratic vision. So I myself is not entirely convinced that sort of autocratic vision and I think it is very important that democracy is protected on the planet."
"India has a role there and India has a view which should be put on the table. I don't think these things should be seen as centre of table, that's too arrogant. We understand the strengths we bring to the table democratic values," he added.
The Congress leader is scheduled to meet several people during his visit to the US in coming days in Washington D.C. and New York.
8 jawans, driver killed as Maoists blow up security vehicle in Chhattisgarh
In the most gruesome Maoist attack in the New Year, eight jawans and a driver have been killed after the rebels blew up a security vehicle in Chhattisgarh's Bijapur district, police sources said on Monday.
GRP arrested 35 human traffickers in Tripura in 5 months
The Government Railway Police (GRP) arrested 35 human traffickers in the last five months in Tripura for facilitating illegal entry of Bangladeshi nationals and Rohingyas into India, officials said on Monday.
23 injured in two separate road accidents in Tripura
At least 10 students and a woman suffered breathing problems and six of them immediately shifted to the government-run Govind Ballabh Pant Medical College and Hospital and their condition stated to be not serious.
India well prepared to handle HMPV, surveillance shows no unusual surge: Centre
India is well-prepared to handle respiratory illnesses and surveillance shows no unusual surge in the country, according to the government, as reports surface about rising cases of Human Metapneumovirus (HMPV) in China in the past few weeks.
PM Modi guarantees continuation of free welfare schemes in Delhi
No existing public welfare scheme in Delhi will be withdrawn after BJP comes to power in Delhi, said Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday, virtually guaranteeing the continuation of free water, power and bus travel for women offered by the current AAP government.
Big milestone: Indian metro network now third-largest in the world
India has achieved a remarkable milestone by reaching 1,000 kilometres in its metro network, solidifying its position as the world's third-largest metro system.
‘Jagriti’ awareness drive to aware students about road safety and consumer rights
To make the students aware about road safety and consumer rights, the government is set to launch ‘Jagriti’ – an awareness programme from January 11 next, said minister Sushanta Chowdhury on Saturday.
Ex-CM accuses BJP of divisive politics to mask hide core issues
Former Tripura Chief Minister Manik Sarkar on Saturday criticized the ruling BJP, accusing it of fostering divisions among Hindus, Muslims, Tribals, and Non-Tribals to divert attention from pressing issues such as rising prices, unemployment, and economic hardships.