Hand of love will bring change, take country forward, says Rahul Gandhi

Congress party president Rahul Gandhi on Saturday said that not BJP's hatred but the party's hand symbol would take the country forward with love and brotherhood.

“The symbol of the hand is the symbol of the Congress party. This is the symbol that holds the country together, shows us the way, and will take India forward,” Rahul said while delivering his maiden speech at the Indian National Congress (INC) Plenary session in Delhi.

The 84th INC Plenary Session began on Saturday at the Indira Gandhi Indoor Stadium in New Delhi, with the main focus on the 2019 Lok Sabha elections.

Former prime minister Manmohan Singh, former party president Sonia Gandhi, and other party leaders like Randeep Surjewala, Sheila Dikshit, Meira Kumar, Ambika Soni, and other big names were present at the session.

In an effort to strengthen the organisation ahead of the next Lok Sabha polls, the party’s Plenary Session aims to focus on the party workers.

Also Read | Sonia Gandhi attacks PM, says 'autocratic' Modi government drunk on power

Here are the highlights:

# 03:15 PM: Congress is not just a political organization but a futuristic vision. The party has been an inseparable part of the lives of the people for 133 years and reflects Indian Culture: 

# 03:00 PM: 40 years ago, in Chikmagalur, with Mrs. Indira Gandhi's victory the Congress party emerged as a stronger party. With the Karnataka Assembly Election, I believe the party will similarly rise again: Smt Sonia Gandhi

# 01:46 PM: Nobody can stop Rahul Gandhi from becoming the Prime Minister of the country in 2019: Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah

Nobody can stop Rahul Gandhi from becoming the Prime Minister of the country in 2019: Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah at #CongressPlenarySession in Delhi pic.twitter.com/rykklq0xmz

— ANI (@ANI) March 17, 2018

# 12:33 PM: Sachin Pilot says, "We have won by-polls under the leadership of Rahul Gandhi, soon you'll see us winning states."

To those who challenge us, I would say... as of now we have won by-polls under leadership of Rahul Gandhi, soon you'll see us winning states and in 2019 Congress will win the elections: Sachin Pilot at #CongressPlenarySession pic.twitter.com/Mlya50e4ZN

— ANI (@ANI) March 17, 2018

# 12:27 PM: Congress Political Resolution released at the Plenary Session

There are apprehension among political parties & people over misuse of EVMs to manipulate outcome contrary to popular verdict. To ensure credibility of electoral process EC should revert to old practice of paper ballots like most major democracies: Congress Political Resolution

— ANI (@ANI) March 17, 2018

# 11:45 AM: The agenda for the 84th Congress Plenary Session

Here's the agenda for the 84th Congress Plenary happening right now at the Indira Gandhi Indoor Stadium in New Delhi #CongressPlenary #ChangeIsNow pic.twitter.com/dzqYr8d223

— Congress (@INCIndia) March 17, 2018

# 11:40 AM: With your (party members & workers) blessings & cooperation we will once again win Karnataka: Kharge

With your (party members & workers) blessings & cooperation we will once again win #Karnataka, your help is needed, the way BJP & RSS workers go door-to-door, the same way you also help us in Karnataka: Mallikarjun Kharge at Congress Plenary Session pic.twitter.com/MupGjZy5Ow

— ANI (@ANI) March 17, 2018

# 11:35 AM: Congress party-led India to independence & helped establish democracy: Kharge

Congress party led India to independence & helped establish democracy. It was democracy which brought PM Modi to power but, ironically, his Govt itself has now become a threat to democracy: @MallikarjunINC #CongressPlenary #ChangeIsNow pic.twitter.com/JPlxu1DM9b

— Congress (@INCIndia) March 17, 2018

# 11:32 AM: Mahatma Gandhi inspired the party: Kharge

Inspired by Mahatma Gandhi, the Congress reached out to people across the country, inspired them to rise above all barriers, and mobilized them to form the world's biggest movement for independence: @MallikarjunINC #ChangeIsNow #CongressPlenary pic.twitter.com/cQEt5NlQvt

— Congress (@INCIndia) March 17, 2018

# 11:30 AM: Congress party belongs to everyone who lives in this nation: Mallikarjun Kharge

Congress party belongs to everyone who lives in this nation. With the visionary leadership of Shri Jawaharlal Nehru, Congress set up large-scale industries, irrigation projects and pushed the economy forward: Shri @MallikarjunINC #CongressPlenary #ChangeIsNow pic.twitter.com/f5dnDLs7Q6

— Congress (@INCIndia) March 17, 2018

# 11:18 AM: The symbol of the hand is the symbol of the Congress party

The symbol of the hand is the symbol of the Congress party. This is the symbol that holds the country together, shows us the way, and will take India forward: Congress President Rahul Gandhi #CongressPlenary #ChangeIsNow pic.twitter.com/z5evCOIPhh

— Congress (@INCIndia) March 17, 2018

# 11:12 AM: Congress party embraces change without forgetting past and legacy

The tradition of the Congress party is to embrace change without forgetting our past and legacy: CP Rahul Gandhi #CongressPlenary #ChangeIsNow pic.twitter.com/kduUJRapyW

— Congress (@INCIndia) March 17, 2018

# 11:09 AM: Only the Congress party can show the way to the country. The Congress party uses love and brotherhood while the opposition uses anger. Congress party will work for every person in the country

देश को सिर्फ कांग्रेस पार्टी ही रास्ता दिखा सकती है| कांग्रेस पार्टी प्यार और भाईचारे का प्रयोग करती है जबकि विपक्ष क्रोध का इस्तेमाल करती है| कांग्रेस पार्टी देश के प्रत्येक व्यक्ति के लिए काम करेगी: कांग्रेस अध्यक्ष राहुल गांधी #CongressPlenary #ChangeIsNow pic.twitter.com/fPyjoWHANB

— Congress (@INCIndia) March 17, 2018

# 11:07 AM: The representatives of our party have fought hard to keep our ideology alive

The representatives of our party have fought hard to keep our ideology alive. The senior leaders of the Congress will guide the party youth and take us forward: Congress President Rahul Gandhi #CongressPlenary #ChangeIsNow pic.twitter.com/OVQc0Q4zv6

— Congress (@INCIndia) March 17, 2018

# 11:06 AM: We follow the ideology of love, and not hatred

The difference between our party and the incumbent ruling party is that they follow the ideology of hatred while we follow the ideology of love and fraternity: CP Rahul Gandhi. #CongressPlenary #ChangeIsNow pic.twitter.com/EJtYnWQS55

— Congress (@INCIndia) March 17, 2018

# 11:00 AM: The nation is tired & looking for a way out, only Congress can show the way ahead

The nation is tired & looking for a way out, only Congress can show the way ahead: Rahul Gandhi at Congress Plenary Session

— ANI (@ANI) March 17, 2018

# 10:58 AM: Visuals from the Plenary Session

Visuals from Congress Plenary Session underway at #Delhi's Indira Gandhi Stadium. pic.twitter.com/FjK3u987Y2

— ANI (@ANI) March 17, 2018

# 10:57 AM: The country is tired of what is happening under the current Govt.: Rahul Gandhi

The country is tired of what is happening under the current Govt. Only the Congress party can show the way and heal divisions in the nation: Congress President Rahul Gandhi #CongressPlenary #ChangeIsNow

— Congress (@INCIndia) March 17, 2018

# 10:55 AM: The country belongs to everyone & whatever Congress will do will be for the benefit for all: Rahul Gandhi

They (BJP) uses anger we use love but one thing that I want to say is that this country belongs to everyone & whatever Congress will do will be for the benefit for all: Rahul Gandhi

— ANI (@ANI) March 17, 2018

# 10:54 AM: Congress is the only party which can unite the country and take it forward: Rahul Gandhi

This is the only symbol (Congress party symbol) that can unite the nation and take it forward: Rahul Gandhi at Congress Plenary Session in Delhi pic.twitter.com/mE4fNbAs4n

— ANI (@ANI) March 17, 2018

# 10:52 AM: The present government is breaking the country today: Rahul Gandhi

# 10:47 AM: Rahul Gandhi begins his inaugural speech

# 10:40 AM: Rahul Gandhi, Sonia Gandhi, and Manmohan Singh at the session

Sonia Gandhi, Rahul Gandhi & Manmohan Singh at #Delhi's Indira Gandhi Stadium for Congress' plenary session. pic.twitter.com/0QtEdWENym

— ANI (@ANI) March 17, 2018

# 10:39 AM: Rahul Gandhi meets all the delegates of several parties

# 10:33 AM: Congress' Meira Kumar and Ambika Soni reach the venue

And it begins! Congress leaders Smt @meira_kumar and Smt Ambika Soni at the #CongressPlenary #ChangeIsNow pic.twitter.com/hmxQHwUDMk

— Congress (@INCIndia) March 17, 2018

# 09:30 AM: Rahul Gandhi welcomes delegates for the 84th Plenary Session

Welcome delegates and distinguished guests to the #CongressPlenary.

Over the next two days I look forward to interacting with you and to sharing experiences and perspectives that will together help us build a stronger, more vibrant Congress party.

Jai Hind.

— Rahul Gandhi (@RahulGandhi) March 17, 2018