IN PHOTOS: Rahul Gandhi states Congress' fight is against 'hate-filled Asuri Shakti'

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi stated that the party is engaged in a battle against a "hate-filled Asuri Shakti". His statement was a response to the controversy stirred by his 'shakti' remark at a rally in Mumbai. Pics/ PTI

Updated On: 2024-03-21 05:27 PM IST

Compiled by : Sanjana Deshpande

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi stated that the party is engaged in a battle against a "hate-filled Asuri Shakti".

Gandhi made these remarks while addressing reporters at the All India Congress Committee headquarters in Delhi, following a press conference.

The statement came days after Gandhi's earlier remark about "fighting against shakti" stirred controversy, drawing a strong response from Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the BJP.

In response to the backlash, Gandhi clarified that his earlier reference to "fighting against shakti" was not about religious power but rather referred to the forces of unrighteousness, corruption, and falsehood.

At the press conference earlier, Rahul Gandhi's mother and former party chief Sonia Gandhi demanded that the party be given access to its bank accounts to ensure level playing feild ahead of Lok Sabha elections 2024. 

Congress accused Prime Minister Narendra Modi of making systematic efforts to cripple the grand-old party financially. The party also said its ability to contest Lok Sabha elections 2024 has been damaged due to the action.

Rahul Gandhi, speaking about the government's move to freeze the party's accounts due to an Income Tax returns issue, said it is disabling them from campaigning or contesting elections. 

Rahul Gandhi likened the freezing of party's accounts to freezing of Indian democracy. In a scathing attack, he said that India being world's largest democracy is a lie. 

The Wayanad MP termed the freezing of accounts a criminal action against Congress by the prime minister and home minister. He further claimed institutions, supposed to protect a democratic framework, exist but no action is being taken. 

Sonia Gandhi, further, stated that the issue is "very, very serious" and that it "impacts our democracy itself most fundamentally" apart from impacting the Indian National Congress.

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