Ex-PM: New Congress chief will sustain politics of hope

Maintaining that certain “disturbing trends” are noticeable in the country’s polity and the people depended on Rahul Gandhi to transform it, former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on Saturday said that the new Congress chief will sustain the “politics of hope” which is needed by the country and will not allow the “politics of fear” to take over.

In his brief address during Rahul's coronation, the former PM described the day as “unique” in the party's history and said the new Congress president's leadership brings a new sense of dedication and commitment which will steer the party to greater heights of glory.

He also took the opportunity to praise the outgoing Congress chief Sonia Gandhi for her “powerful and magnificent” leadership to the party.

“Rahul today is taking over as the president of the party at a time when there are certain disturbing trends noticeable in our polity. As a distinguished academic pointed out a few days ago, there are dangers that the 'politics of fear' will take over from the politics of hope,” he said, indirectly referring to the BJP.

“Rahul, we depend upon you to transform that area.. that fear of politics will transform, to sustain the politics of hope, which this country needs,” Singh said adding the country is still faced with problems like poverty, ignorance and disease with millions still afflicted with them.

Singh expressed the hope that Rahul, who has travelled all over the country, knows the problems first hand and under his leadership the party will scale new heights of glory.

Recalling the 19 years of Sonia's leadership, Singh said he has worked with her as Congress Working Committee (CWC) member and as Prime Minister for 10 years.

He said the Government headed by him under Sonia's guidance took some historic decisions that include enactment of some “unique social legislations” like MNREGA and the RTI.

Singh said the growth rate of the country was at an all- time high at an average of 7.8 per cent per annum during the period and 140 million people were lifted out from poverty.