Those who played a role in destroying institutions will not go free: Rahul Gandhi

Hyderabad: "Those who have played a role in destroying institutions will not go free, they will have to pay a price," said Congress leader Rahul Gandhi in his press conference at Kothur in Telangana.

In a packed media interaction, Rahul Gandhi walked in at 2 o'clock and took 16 questions from Telugu, Urdu, English, and digital media.

News Meter's Executive Editor Kaniza Garari was given a chance to ask a question, "As you have explained that it has been a humbling experience for you meeting people from different genres. I wanted you to tell us whatever damage the BJP has done, how are you and the Congress party going to reverse it in the long run? So what is going to be done in terms of reversal after the Bharat Jodo Yatra?"

Mr. Gandhi replied, "One way of looking at the BJP is that it is a political organization but that is a superficial way of looking at it. The other way is that BJP is an emotion that is very strong in the leadership of RSS. The emotion at a superficial level is hatred, they preach the idea of hatred. And I have read people like Savarkar, and Gowalkar, if you scratch a little bit it is not hatred. It is actually fear. They are actually scared and from that fear comes hatred. Congress party is also an emotion as taught to us by Mahatma Gandhiji. It is the opposite of fear. It is the confrontation against these feelings. The moment the Congress party starts this idea, confront your fear, do not be a coward. Hatred is cowardice. Naturally, the BJP will start collapsing. Of course, there is an element of institutional capture. Of course, the United opposition will reverse. And I also feel that it is important that those people who have played a role in institutional capture realize that they cannot get away with this scot-free. There is a cost involved in capturing the institutions of this country and trying to destroy them and you will pay the price."

Two minutes silence

Before the start of the press conference, a two-minute silence was observed for the more than 100 victims of the Morbi cable bridge collapse in Gujarat.

Humbling experience

"It has been a humbling experience for me as lakhs of people have come to meet me. I wanted to take the yatra when I was 25 years old. It had been playing in my mind. It was also thought by other Congressmen and now here it is," said Mr. Gandhi.

He also said, "This is a political yatra. It is not a sports yatra. I am listening to all those who are approaching me."

BJY to Charminar

The yatra will go to Charminar as Rajiv Gandhi started the Sadbhavana Yatra from there. There will also be flag hoisting at Charminar.

No Alliance with TRS

Rahul Gandhi made it very clear that the Congress leadership in Telangana is not going to have any alliance with the TRS party. For TRS changing to the national party BRS, he said, "Every leadership can aspire to go national or international and fight elections wherever they want."

We are democratic, so we elect our leader

Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge will take part in the yatra on 1 November with Rahul Gandhi. Mr. Gandhi asked, "Why is the BJP or the TRS not asked when the party elections for their leaders will be held? We are a democratic party and hold elections to choose our leader."