Rape is a political issue, will raise it: Rahul
Bengaluru, May 10: Countering Prime Minister Narendra Modi who said incidents of rape should not be politicised, Congress President Rahul Gandhi on Thursday said rape is a political issue and his party would continue to raise them.
Commenting on Modi questioning the Congress for politicising rapes by holding a candle light march, Gandhi said: "Excuse me, atrocities against women, rapes are political issues. Who says it is not a political issue. It is absolutely a national issue."
"Are you telling me that if India's women are raped, politicians should not discuss it? It is an issue that is fundamental," he said during a press briefing here and added that the Congress will keep on raising them.
"The treatment of our women is absolutely an issue. Modi likes to discuss things like sea planes, which is a political issue, I guess... bullet trains."
Gandhi said Modi is raking up such issues as he doesn't like to discuss the fundamental issues in Karnataka.
"What are the issues in Karnataka? They are pretty simple. Helping the farmers -- we have given Rs 8,000 crore to the farmers. How much money has the Prime Minister given to the farmers of India and that of Karnataka. I want to ask that question.
"He gives Rs 250,000 crore to the richest 15 people in this country.How much has the Prime Minister given (to the farmers)... zero."
Accusing Modi of not giving "even one rupee" in debt waiver to the farmers, he said: "This is something to be ashamed of. That is another political issue. But Modi doesn't like to raise it."
Attacking the Prime Minister on corruption, Gandhi said it's a fundamental political issue.
"Our Prime Minister comes and says he fights corruption. Well on his stage is Mr (B.S.) Yeddyurappa, his Chief Ministerial candidate, who has spent time in jail for corruption and stealing from the people of Karnataka."
"On the other side Reddy brothers, who stole as much money from Karnataka as the Congress party gave for MGNREGA -- Rs 35,000 crore. They have stolen this much money from your pockets and fleeced you," he added.
He said Modi should answer why in none of his speeches he doesn’t talk about the eight seats he has given to the Reddy brothers.
"Why he doesn't explain to the people as to why the CBI has become the Central Bureau of Illegal Mining and is being used to protect these people. These are the issues," Gandhi said.
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US President Biden assures peaceful transfer of power in January
Washington, Nov 7: Outgoing US President Joe Biden on Thursday vowed to ensure a peaceful and orderly transfer of power to President-elect Donald Trump in January and appealed to the people to accept the election results for the White House.
Biden made the comments during an address to the nation a day after Trump, 78, was re-elected as the 47th president of the US after defeating Vice President Kamala Harris, the Democratic Party's nominee.
Biden said he spoke with Trump and also with Vice President Harris, who he said ran an inspiring campaign.
Trump, who had lost the 2020 elections to President Biden, won this time both in terms of popular votes and electoral college votes.
“Yesterday, I spoke with President-elect Trump to congratulate him on his victory. I assured him that I would direct my entire administration to work with his team to ensure a peaceful and orderly transition," Biden said in his address from the Rose Garden of the White House.
"That's what the American people deserve,” he added.
"For over 200 years, America has carried on the greatest experiment in self-government in the history of the world," he said, adding that the people vote and choose their leaders and do it peacefully.
"In a democracy, the will of the people always prevails," said Biden in his address attended by members of his Cabinet and senior administration officials.
Biden said he hoped the election could also lay to rest the question about the integrity of the American electoral system.
“It is honest, it is fair, and it is transparent. It can be trusted, win or lose. I also hope we can restore the respect for all our election workers who busted their necks and took risks at the outset,” he said.
“As they did their duty as citizens, I will do my duty as president. I'll fulfill my oath and I will honour the Constitution. On January 20th, we'll have a peaceful transfer of power here in America,” Biden said.
Rebutting criticism of his economic policy, Biden said his administration is leaving behind the strongest economy in the world.
Biden said he also spoke with Vice President Harris.
"She's been a partner and a public servant. She ran an inspiring campaign, and everyone got to see something that I learned early on to respect so much: her character... She has great character, true character,” he said.
Biden added that Harris -- who took after Biden withdrew in July-- gave her "whole heart and effort" to her presidential campaign.
"I know for some people, it's a time for victory, to state the obvious. For others, it's a time of loss," he said.
Adding that campaigns are contests of competing visions and the country chooses one or the other, Biden said, "We accept the choice the country made."
"You can't love your country only when you win. You can't love your neighbour only when you agree,” Biden said.
His remarks are seen as an attempt to heal a country that appeared divided into two groups after the results of the bitterly contested presidential election were out.
"I know people are still hurting, but things are changing rapidly. Together, we've changed America for the better. Now we have 74 days to finish our term. Let's make every day count. That's the responsibility we have to the American people,” he said.
Noting that setbacks are unavoidable, he said that giving up is "unforgivable".
"We all get knocked down. But the measure of our character, as my dad would say, is how quickly we get back up. Remember, a defeat does not mean we are defeated. We lost this battle. The America of your dreams is calling for you to get back up,” he said.
“That's the story of America for over 240 years and counting. It's a story for all of us, not just some of us," he said, adding that the American experiment endures.
"We're going to be okay, but we need to stay engaged. We need to keep going. Above all, we need to keep the faith,” Biden said.
