WATCH: Here's What Congress MP Rahul Gandhi Said On I.N.D.I.A Bloc's Prime Minister Face

On Lok Sabha Polls, Rahul said, unlike many political commentators, he cannot predict the future but expressed confidence that this is a much closer election than what is being propagated by media.

I.N.D.I.A's Prime Minister Face: During the Congress manifesto launch event, former party chief Rahul Gandhi on Friday said the I.N.D.I.A bloc has decided that its prime ministerial face will be decided by the alliance constituents jointly after it wins the polls and exuded confidence that the NDA's 2024 campaign will meet the same fate as that of 'India Shining' in 2004. 

Rahul further said the Lok Sabha polls are between forces who are trying to destroy the Constitution and democracy in the country and those protecting them. Speaking at the Congress manifesto launch programme, Gandhi mentioned that polls are a much closer contest than what is propagated by the media, and expressed confidence in winning the polls, reported PTI.

In response to a question following the release of the party manifesto for the Lok Sabha elections, Rahul Gandhi stressed the need to prioritise the interests of the majority of the populace post-election, advocating for an India where governance serves the broader population rather than a select few conglomerates. He stressed the importance of fostering an environment of fair competition among businesses, rejecting the notion of monopolies and advocating for economic policies that benefit the nation as a whole.

Responding to queries regarding the prime ministerial candidate Gandhi said, "I.N.D.I.A bloc has decided that we are together fighting an ideological election, after winning the election, who will be the leader, the PM, the whole coalition will jointly decide". 

'We Are Going To Win The Election': Rahul Gandhi On Lok Sabha Polls, Recalls BJP's 2004 'India Shining' Campaign

Whereas, in response to a question regarding the election outcome, the former Congress president said unlike many political commentators he cannot predict the future but expressed confidence that this is a much closer election than what is being propagated by the media.

"It is a close election and we are going to fight an excellent election and we are going to win the election", Gandhi remarked.

Drawing parallels to the past, Rahul Gandhi recalled the 'India Shining' campaign during Atal Bihari Vajpayee's tenure in 2004, when there was the India Shining campaign. So, "we have a similar idea being propagated, India Shining, with two-three new dimensions, with full support by the monopolists of the country. But do remember what happened to the India Shining campaign and do remember who won that campaign", Gandhi said.

He added, "It is important to understand that this is a fundamentally different election as democracy and the Constitution have not been as much at risk as it is today".

PM Modi Built Monopoly Of Political Finance By Using ED, CBI, I-T Dept: Rahul Gandhi

"We have to understand what is the foundation of the strategy prepared by the RSS and the BJP and particularly Narendra Modi. Like Narendra Modi has given a monopoly to (Billionaire Gautam) Adani in ports, infrastructure and defence, he has also built a monopoly of political finance by using the Enforcement Directorate, CBI and Income Tax department", PTI quoted Rahul Gandhi as saying.

Rahul Gandhi mentioned the electoral bond scheme, alleging that the BJP, under Narendra Modi's leadership, has utilised it to secure political funding through coercive means such as extortion and threats. He echoed Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge's assertion that individuals facing allegations of corruption are flocking to the BJP, suggesting a concerted effort by Modi to centralise political finance in their favour.

He highlighted the Congress party's own struggles, including the freezing of its bank accounts. He emphasised that the party's manifesto is a reflection of the voices of the Indian people, not just the Congress, underscoring its collective nature. He attributed the BJP's aggressive recruitment drive in states like Maharashtra and Haryana to their fears of falling short of the 400-seat mark in the elections, suggesting that they are resorting to desperate measures to maintain power.

Asked about what challenge Modi was posing as compared to 2019, Gandhi said that this trend, which began in 2019, has now reached its zenith, with the BJP holding sway over crucial institutions and exerting what he claimed as a monopoly over political finance. "They (BJP) have all the institutions in their grasp, they have monopoly over political finance. The CBI, Income Tax Department, ED, EC all of them are in BJP's control. As I had said in my speech, the cricket match is a rigged match, cricket match is not a fair match -- be it social media, my YouTube , my Facebook... the whole structure is controlled and rigged", he alleged

Rahul further added, "Therefore, people must understand that this is not a normal election but one to save the Constitution and democracy.This election is between 2-5 per cent and the rest of India. What the India wants is in the manifesto".

The Lok Sabha elections, spanning seven phases, are scheduled to commence on April 19 and conclude on June 1, with results expected to be announced on June 4. The Congress party unveiled its manifesto, titled 'Nyay Patra', at the AICC headquarters, in the esteemed presence of Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge and former party chief Sonia Gandhi. The manifesto prioritizes the concept of justice, encapsulated through five key 'pillars of justice' accompanied by 25 guarantees.