Take it in writing, INDIA will defeat BJP in Gujarat in coming assembly election: Rahul Gandhi
New Delhi: Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi adopted an aggressive stance during his maiden speech in the Lok Sabha on Monday, July 1. In his address, Gandhi raised multiple issues, from the NEET examination to matters of religion, and launched a sharp attack on the central government. He also openly challenged the Modi government regarding the upcoming assembly elections in several states.
Gandhi asserted that the INDIA alliance, which includes the Congress and other opposition parties, would secure a victory in the forthcoming Gujarat assembly elections. "You can take it in writing that the opposition INDIA alliance is going to defeat you (BJP) in Gujarat," he declared.
Highlighting economic concerns, Gandhi criticized the government's demonetization policy and the introduction of the Goods and Services Tax (GST). He claimed these measures were implemented to benefit billionaires at the expense of small industrialists. "Ask any small industrialist why demonetization was done? They will tell you that all this was done to help billionaires. I went to Gujarat and spoke to a textile owner. When I asked him why demonetization and GST were introduced, he clearly said that GST was brought to help billionaires because Narendra Modi works for billionaires," Gandhi said.
During his remarks, a BJP member interrupted Gandhi, questioning his visits to Gujarat. This was a pointed reference to Gandhi's defamation case in a Gujarat court, which had previously led to his two-year imprisonment sentence and temporary disqualification as an MP. Responding to the interruption, Gandhi reaffirmed his commitment to Gujarat, stating, "I keep going to Gujarat and this time I will defeat you in Gujarat. You can take it in writing that the opposition INDIA alliance is going to defeat you in Gujarat."
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They're home: India's T20 world champs arrive in Delhi; fans brave rain to welcome players
New Delhi (PTI): Exuberant fans followed their cricketing heroes despite monsoon showers and heavy security deployment as the T20 World Cup-winning Indian team returned to a euphoric reception that included every element of a lively party, here on Thursday.
Hundreds of supporters, holding placards congratulating their favourites and waving the national flag, braved the inclement weather to wait outside the airport for the victorious side, which defeated South Africa by seven runs in the final in Bridgetown on Saturday last week.
"We have waited for this moment for the past 13 years. The team has made us proud by winning the World Cup," a fan, who claimed to have been waiting since 4:30am in the morning said, referring to India's last World Cup triumph which came back in 2011.
The side was unable to head back home immediately after the title win due to a shutdown forced by hurricane Beryl in Barbados. They were cocooned in their hotel before the BCCI secretary Jay Shah made arrangements for a special charter flight.
The Air India special charter flight AIC24WC -- Air India Champions 24 World Cup -- which left Barbados around 4:50am local time on Wednesday arrived in Delhi at 6am (IST) on Thursday after a 16-hour non-stop journey.
Heavy security was deployed to keep the crowd in check at the Indira Gandhi International airport but that did little to dampen the spirits as fans cheered enthusiastically holding up posters of star batter Virat Kohli, skipper Rohit Sharma and outgoing head coach Rahul Dravid.
Two buses were stationed outside the T3 Terminal to ferry the players to ITC Maurya Sheraton, where they were greeted by dhol and traditional Bhangra dancers.
Most of them, including skipper Rohit Sharma, all-rounder Hardik Pandya, Suryakumar Yadav and Rishabh Pant, shook a leg with the assembled dancers, giving them a memory of a lifetime.
Even the on-duty security personnel had smiles on their faces as the players let their hair down after the long journey, shook hands with everyone who wanted to and moved into their rooms after cutting a cake that was kept ready for them.
All of this unfolded amid expected media frenzy. A brief while later, they left to meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi at his residence, continuing a hectic schedule that awaits them through the day.
Earlier, at the airport, the players trickled out in ones and twos after completing immigration formalities.
Tired but excited, they acknowledged the waiting fans by waving at them and flashing warm smiles.
Suryakumar, who took the sensational match-winning catch of David Miller in the final, was the most animated in responding to the cheering.
Pant, who returned to international cricket at the just-concluded event after a life-threatening car accident, saluted the gathered crowd, while pacer Mohammed Siraj blew flying kisses in their direction.
Rohit and Player of the Final Kohli, both of whom retired from T20Is at the end of India's campaign, were among the last to come out of the VIP exit.
Rohit raised the coveted trophy for the fans to catch a glimpse before boarding the bus. Kohli, on his part, gave a thumbs up to acknowledge the support.
In their excitement to see their heroes in person, some fans claimed that they had been waiting outside the airport since last night.
"We have been here since last night. It was very important for us to win this World Cup after losing the ODI World Cup last year," a group of fans said.
The squad won the country its second T20 world title, ending an 11-year wait for an ICC trophy, on Saturday. India's previous ICC title was in 2013 when it won the Champions Trophy under Mahendra Singh Dhoni.
Its earlier World Cup titles came in 1983 (ODI), 2007 (T20) and 2011 (ODI).
After meeting the Prime Minister, the players will fly to Mumbai to participate in an open bus victory parade followed by a felicitation ceremony at the Wankhede Stadium.
BCCI secretary Jay Shah and Rohit had posted on social media on Wednesday, urging fans to turn up in large numbers to show their support for the side.
It would be a special moment for the 37-year-old Rohit, who is a Mumbaikar and a huge fan favourite in the city.
A similar road show was held in Mumbai 17 years ago when Dhoni's team had beaten arch-rivals Pakistan in the final of the inaugural 2007 World T20 in South Africa.
