PM practising politics of fear: Rahul on demonetisation

"The demonetisation 'yagya' is for 50 families of the country's 1 per cent super rich. It is the poor, farmers, labourers, middle class and small shopkeepers who are being sacrificed in this 'yagya'. There has been tremendous pain caused by it," he said presiding over Congress Party's 132nd Foundation Day celebrations, 

The Congress will stand with people, farmers, labourers, middle-class and small shopkeepers and with the country and help them, he said, exhorting Congressmen to reach out to those "pained" by demonetisation and fight and defeat the ideology of Modi and RSS that spreads "fear and hatred".

"Congress workers have to reach out to people and I am confident that they will do this and will fight out and defeat the ideology of Narendra Modi and RSS which spreads anger and hate," he said.

Accusing Modi for hurting financial independence of people of this country, he asked on what basis limits of Rs 24,000 were imposed on withdrawal.

Filling in for his mother and Congress President Sonia Gandhi who is note keeping well, Rahul for the first time today unfurled the Tricolour at the party headquarters to mark the Congress Foundation Day.

In another first, he later addressed a gathering of top party leaders including all members of the Congress Working Committee, indicating his slow but consistent march towards elevation as Congress chief.

Rahul used the occasion to trace the party's history of sacrifices and struggles to say Congress was synonymous with acceptance of the other.

"Congress means understanding the other. Congress means I am not alone and that there is another perspective apart from mine. Congress is the idea that it is not only my view that will prevail. I must seek your view. Congress means reaching out to you, Congress means listening to you. Congress means understanding the other," he told the gathering.

Seeking to project the BJP as a divisive force as against an inclusive Congress, he said, "Modi government is today tearing apart the fabric of our country. Modiji's policies are creating a tremendous fear psychosis among people. Modiji is trying to convert this fear and pain into hatred.

Demonetisation is an example of this.

"The aim is to run a government of select few, take away the money from the poor and give it to a select few. Spread fear and anger and rule on that basis. We have shown that questions have been raised on Modiji and there are charges on him. He should answer these questions," he said..