At an event in Lucknow on Friday, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi admitted that his party has made mistakes and stressed the need for political change in the future.
Speaking at the Samvidhan Sammelan arranged by the Samruddha Bharat Foundation, Gandhi slammed Prime Minister Narendra Modi, accusing him of acting like a 'monarch' rather than a prime minister and serving the interests of a few financiers.
"The Congress party will also have to change its politics in the coming times. This will have to be done. I also want to say that the Congress party has also made mistakes and I am saying this while being from the Congress party," he stated.
However, Gandhi did not elaborate on the specific changes he believed the Congress needed to undertake.
Addressing the audience's questions on the Constitution, Gandhi expressed his readiness to debate Modi but doubted the prime minister's willingness to engage.
Predicting the BJP's performance in the upcoming Lok Sabha elections, Gandhi asserted that the ruling party would be limited to fewer than 180 seats.
He reiterated this forecast made during joint rallies with Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav earlier in the day.
Gandhi highlighted the need for greater inclusion of marginalized communities in Indian society, calling for a caste-based census.
"If the nation is to be strengthened, it cannot be done without including the 90 per cent. If you say that the 90 per cent will not come into bureaucracy, sports, media, judiciary and even beauty pageants, then what superpower will you make? Do you want to make 10 per cent of the population a superpower," he remarked.
Accusing Modi of undermining the Constitution, Gandhi characterized the prime minister as a "king" controlled by a select few financiers rather than a democratically elected leader. He denounced PM Modi's authority, claiming he had little regard for democratic institutions.
Responding to questions from the audience, Gandhi reiterated his willingness to debate with the Prime Minister, although he expressed scepticism about the prime minister's willingness to engage in such a forum.
He also suggested that Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge could participate in the debate.
Regarding the absence of the Old Pension Scheme from the party manifesto, Gandhi indicated openness to reconsideration, stating that the matter is under review.
When questioned about the potential renationalisation of institutions privatised by the Modi government, Gandhi acknowledged the challenges but affirmed the party's commitment to preventing further privatisation.
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