Next Congress chief can't be 'remote controlled', says Rahul Gandhi

In a counter to BJP's take on Congress presidential polls, Rahul Gandhi on Saturday said that both candidates are people of stature and they can't be remote controlled by someone else in the party. Mallikarjun Kharge and Shashi Tharoor are the two candidates for the post.

'Both the nominees contesting for Congress Presidential elections have a position as well as their own perspectives. To call anyone a 'remote control' is insulting to both of them,' said Rahul.

Rahul's comments came after Mallikarjun Kharge earlier rubbished the notion of “remote control chief” in the party by saying that no such thing exists in Congress.


At a press conference, Kharge had said, “A lot of people say there will be remote control. They say I will do what Sonia Gandhi will say. There is no such thing as remote control in Congress, people take decisions together, like the working committee, election committee, parliamentary board. It (remote control) is your thinking. A few people are creating this idea.”

Meanwhile, Rahul also slammed the BJP and blamed it for spreading hatred and violence in the country, which he said is an anti-national act and he will fight anybody who spreads hatred and violence.

'We are not a fascist party. We are a party that believes in conversation and we welcome different viewpoints. We do know that in order to win elections we will have to work as a team.' he said.

Rahul added that the Constitution states that Bharat is a Union of States. 'It means all our languages, states and traditions have an equally important space. That is the nature of our country.'

The voting for Congress president will take place on October 17.