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Speaking at a press conference in Dubai, Congress President Rahul Gandhi said he has great respect for SP and BSP leaders, but they have a right to do what they want. Earlier on Friday, SP and BSP announced an alliance for the upcoming Lok Sabha polls in the country.
During his maiden visit to the UAE, Gandhi addressed the Indian diaspora at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium on Friday. He also addressed a gathering of Indian workers at the Labour Colony later.
In his address at the cricket stadium, Gandhi praised the UAE for declaring 2019 as the 'Year of Tolerance', saying that India, on the other hand, has been witnessing four-and-a-half years of "intolerance".
Gandhi, along with senior leader Sam Pitroda, met with the business leaders at breakfast, hosted by Sunny Varkey.
Reflecting upon the 2019 election, Rahul Gandhi said that "massive response" is coming from bureaucrats and institutions against the RSS' thinking "that the voice of the people is irrelevant".
Speaking on the government's twin economic reforms, Rahul Gandhi said: "India is facing a 14-year low with regard to investments. A couple of ill-advised economic policies like Demonetisation and GST has vitiated the atmosphere".
“Demonetisation by PM Modi was a rash and irresponsible action. He was directly responsible for the decimation of informal sector.” he added.
Commenting upon relations with Pakistan, Rahul Gandhi said: “I am all for a peaceful relationship with Pakistan, but, I will absolutely not tolerate violence being carried out on innocent Indians by the Pakistani state.”
Speaking at a press conference in Dubai, Congress President Rahul Gandhi said he has great respect for the leaders of Samajwadi Party and Bahujan Samaj Party, and that they have a right to do what they want. Earlier on Saturday, 12 January, the SP and BSP announced an alliance.
“BSP and SP have made a political decision. It's on us on how to strengthen the Congress party in Uttar Pradesh and we will fight with our full capacity,” he also said adding that his party will contest the Lok Sabha election in Uttar Pradesh with “full force”.
Following his engagements in Dubai, Rahul Gandhi held a meeting with Indian businessmen and professionals in Abu Dhabi.
During his interaction with students of Institute of Management Technology, Rahul Gandhi blamed the current government for the rise in intolerance in the country.
After his interaction with the Indian diaspora and Indian workers at the Labour Colony in Dubai, AICC president Rahul Gandhi met student of Institute of Management Technology (IMT), Dubai, for an informal interaction.
While addressing the Indian diaspora, Congress President Rahul Gandhi said, “We can never run a country like India believing that only one idea is correct and all other are wrong. Today, my beloved country India is being divided for political reasons.”
On his maiden visit to UAE, Congress President Rahul Gandhi met the vice president and the prime minister of UAE.
Speaking about the relationship between Indian and UAE Gandhi tweeted, “The bonds between India & the UAE have stood the test of time. I am committed to helping build an even stronger relationship between our countries.”
The first task is to deal with the rising intolerance in the country and bring India together regardless of religion, caste, ideology and thinking, Rahul Gandhi said. “Some people talk about a Congress-Mukt Bharat. We do not want a BJP-Mukt Bharat,” he said.
“The values that bring together the people of UAE and India are humility and tolerance; tolerance for different ideas, religions and communities. I'm sad to say that back home, it is four-and-a-half years of intolerance,” he said.
Congress President asks NRIs to help India tackle issues of agrarian distress and unemployment, caused by government’s decisions like GST and demonetisation.
Addressing the Indian diaspora in Dubai, Rahul Gandhi said NRIs are India's biggest strength. “Without the help of NRIs, India would not have reached where it is today,” he said.
Speaking to Indians in Dubai, Congress President Rahul Gandhi said that Congress will do everything possible to help the Indian diaspora in Dubai. “We will talk to you and address your issues in our election manifesto. I am here to listen to your Mann Ki Baat,” Rahul Gandhi said.
While enquiring about their problems in Dubai and their families in India, several workers complained about not getting their full salaries.
“Share all your problems and issues with Pitroda, we will have them in our manifesto. We want to know about all your problems and what the Indian government should do to them. Not this government (Modi government) but the one which is coming to power after the elections,” he said.
The Congress Party tweeted images of Rahul Gandhi’s interaction in Dubai
According to the Congress, Rahul Gandhi said that if our government comes into power we will give special status to Andhra Pradesh.
He also said, “You helped India, Indian states and the poor people and you worked to make this city of Dubai, which is great in the whole world. I want to say thank you heartily.”
Rahul Gandhi said, “Somebody said here that a big man has come to meet us. Nobody is a big man. I am just like you.”
During his address to the labour colony in Dubai, Rahul Gandhi tells Indian workers that they have made every religion, every state and every caste proud. "I know that you have to face hardships. You work all day, send money back home for the family,” he said.
Congress chief Rahul Gandhi and senior leader Sam Pitroda met with the business leaders at a breakfast, hosted by Sunny Varkey.
Congress President Rahul Gandhi, set to interact with the Indian overseas and student communities during his maiden visit to the UAE, was accorded a warm welcome by the Indian diaspora at the Dubai airport on Thursday, 10 January, the party said.
Gandhi had also previously addressed such public gatherings in the US, London, Germany and Bahrain.
"Indians from across Dubai gather at the airport to greet Congress President @RahulGandhi with warmth & love ahead of his two day tour in UAE," the party tweeted.
The Congress President would also be the "official chief guest" at the 'Indo-Arab cultural programme' at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium on 11 January. The programme will also be celebrating the 150th birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi.
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