Who said what after Rahul’s coronation?

New Delhi: As she passed on the mantle of the Congress president to her son Rahul Gandhi, Ms Sonia Gandhi on Saturday expressed confidence that he would lead the party with a pure heart, patience and devotion.Addressing party workers at a function where Mr Gandhi was handed over the certificate of his election as party president, Ms Gandhi said the fight by the Congress was for the very soul of the nation and that at a time when there were daily attacks on the freedom of speech and expression. The party needed to look within in order to forge ahead.

She also expressed confidence that the party would be reinvigorated with a new and young leadership.'India is a young country. I am confident that with a new and young leadership, our party will be reinvigorated and bring about the changes that we need. You have chosen Rahul as your leader. He is my son, and it would not be suitable for me to praise him. But this much I will say- while from his very childhood he has borne experience of violence, the savage personal attacks that he has confronted since entering politics has served to make him a brave and stout hearted man. I am proud of his endurance and firmness and I am confident that he will lead the party with a pure heart, patience and devotion.'Noting that the party faced challenges hitherto never faced by it, Ms Gandhi said the fight by the Congress was for the very soul of the nation.

'Since 2014, we have been playing the part of the opposition. Never before have we faced the challenge that we face today. The Fundamentals of our Constitution are under attack. Our party has lost several state elections, but an exemplary courage fires our Congress workers. We are not the ones to bend in fear because our struggle is a fight for the very soul of this nation. We will never retreat from this fight,' Ms Gandhi said.She said at a time when there were daily attacks on the freedom of speech and expression and existence of an atmosphere of suspicion and fear, the Congress party needed to look within in order to forge ahead.

'Today, you the leaders and the workers of our party., are the custodians of the ideals and principles on which our nation was built. It is not power, wealth or self importance that should be our aim, it is this country- it is safeguarding our fundamental principles.'We are all witness to the daily assault on the fundamental values, an assault on freedom of speech and expression, our culture of diversity and its replacement with an atmosphere of suspicion and fear. The Congress must look within to forge ahead. If we do not stand by our principles, we will not be able to wage this fight. It is a battle of righteousness and we must fit ourselves to attain success,' Ms Gandhi said.

Rahul takes over Congress charge amid 'politics of fear', says Manmohan

Former Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh on Saturday said Rahul Gandhi was taking over as the new Congress President at a time when "disturbing trends" and "politics of fear" have been prevailing in the country."Rahulji, we depend upon you for transformation of politics of fear to politics of hope," Dr Singh said at the AICC head quarter wherein Rahul Gandhi formally took charge of Congress party.

"Rahulji is taking over as President of our party at a time when there are certain disturbing trends visible in our politics," Dr Manmohan Singh said.He noted that a "distinguished academician" has pointed out that "there are dangers that politics of fear will take over the politics of hope" in the country.He said Rahul Gandhi had been trained for a long period and had already looked after many activities of the Congress for many years now."Rahulji brings in a new sense of dedication and commitment, a new sense of leadership with courage and humility," former Prime Minister said.

He said during the last 19 years as the Congress President, Sonia Gandhi did, "provided a powerful leadership"."Now that Soniaji is handing over the reins of the party to Rahulji, we salute Soniaji for uniting the leadership, something that she has been doing for the last 19 years," Dr Singh said.(UNI)

Arvind Kejriwal and Stalin greet Rahul on his elevation as Cong Prez

Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Saturday congratulated Rahul Gandhi soon after he took over as Congress party president. "Congratulations Rahul ji for this big responsibility and our best wishes for all your endeavours,' Mr Kejriwal tweeted.Mr Gandhi was earlier handed over the certificate of his election by senior Congress leader
Mullappally Ramachandran, the chairman of the Congress Election Authority. 

DMK Working President M K Stalin on Saturday greeted Rahul Gandhi for becoming the new President of the Congress party.Mr Stalin tweeted 'I congratulate Thiru. Rahul Gandhi on his elevation as the President of INC, on behalf of DMK.''Am confident that he will fulfill the aspirations and hopes of the people and restore the glory of Secularism, Socialism and Federalism', he said.

Rahul's coronation a "No show", says BJP

New Delhi: The BJP on Saturday dismissed Rahul Gandhi's 'coronation' as a "virtual non-event" and mocked at the manner in which such an event was celebrated with "extravaganza and fervour"."Who says @INCIndia doesn't know event management? When was a "Non-Event" celebrated with such great fervour & on such scale? Rahul Gandhi was already leading his party," BJP spokesman GVL Narasimha Rao tweeted.

Making sarcastic remarks on the occasion, Mr Rao said, "If the celebration is for the "certificate", it makes sense. Certificates are hard to come by". Rahul Gandhi, 47, on Saturday took over as the new president of Congress party succeeding his mother Sonia Gandhi.Rahul was handed over the certificate of his election by senior Congress leader Mullappally Ramachandran, the chairman of the Congress Election Authority in the presence of outgoing party president Sonia Gandhi and former Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh among others.Rahul's sister Priyanka Gandhi and brother-in-law Robert Vadra were also present.(UNI)