Rahul Gandhi's anti-corruption pitch may be Congress' main poll plank

NEW DELHI: Rahul Gandhi's pitch against corruption could become the Congress' main plank in the Lok Sabha polls, the party indicated today.

"Rahul Gandhi has a firm resolve to fight corruption. The passage of nine anti-corruption bills will create the framework for it.

"Historic anti-corruption bills were passed during the UPA. We have a track record of fighting corruption," AICC general secretary Chairman Ajay Maken told PTI.

Maken, who is the communication department chairman of the party, has posted slogans and posters online that seek to project Gandhi as a crusader against corruption. The slogans draw contrast between Gandhi and BJP's Prime Ministerial candidate Narendra Modi.

"Rahul ji ke nau hathiyar, door karenge bhrashtachar (The nine weapons of Rahul will remove corruption), Rahul ji ka uddeshya, bhrastachar mukt desh (The purpose of Rahul is to create a corruption-free India), Modi says Congress mukt Bharat Congress says polio mukt bharat (Modi says Congress- free India, Congress says Polio-free India," are the slogans put up on the AICC leader's Twitter wall.

The posters also mention the nine legislations which Gandhi has been keen on. They include the Whistleblowers Bill and amendments to Prevention of Corruption Act.

With preparation for Lok Sabha elections on the fast track, the party has convened a high-level meeting here tomorrow to decide on a campaign theme ahead of the AICC meeting scheduled for January 17.

Wednesday's meeting has been convened by senior leader AK Antony, who heads the party committee on alliances.

Apart from the AICC general secretaries, members of the party's campaign and manifesto committees, too, have been invited to take part in the deliberations.