The Hindu : National : Rahul Gandhi rules out early elections

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Tuesday, Mar 11, 2008
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Rahul Gandhi rules out early elections

Special Correspondent

BHUBANESWAR: Despite the country being a thriving democracy, no political party, including the Congress, was functioning in a democratic way, Congress general secretary Rahul Gandhi said here on Monday. He also expressed concern over the existing gap between the politicians and the people.

“We have democracy in the country, but no political party is functioning in a democratic fashion,” Mr. Gandhi said, while interacting with presspersons on the last day of his Orissa tour here.

“Anyone interested in entering politics did not know how to join a party,” Mr. Gandhi observed before leaving for New Delhi.

“Why is it that at every single meeting I attended during my tour of the State, people asked me the same question — how should one join politics?”

The MP from Amethi said he would strive to keep all doors open for youth to join the Youth Congress.

Mr. Gandhi ruled out early general elections. “So far as my knowledge goes, the Lok Sabha elections will be held on time.”

Pointing out that the ‘Discovery of India’ tour had nothing to do with the elections, Mr. Gandhi said it was a process of learning and understanding the problems the people were facing in different parts of the country.

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