Hardik Patel joins Congress; Priyanka, Rahul attack PM Modi | CWC Highlights

Congress leaders on Tuesday met in Prime Minister Narendra Modi's home state to deliberate on poll strategy and discuss key issues like alliances and national security ahead of the Lok Sabha elections. Led by president Rahul Gandhi and UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi, the party's top leadership started discussions on key poll issues at a meeting of the Congress Working Committee (CWC) at the Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel National Memorial here. The party started the day by paying rich tributes to Mahatma Gandhi at the Sabarmati Ashram here. The day also marks the anniversary of the historic Dandi March, started by Mahatma Gandhi from Sabarmati Ashram on March 12, 1930. It is also the first official meeting of Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, who was appointed as Congress general secretary in-charge of western Uttar Pradesh recently. 

CWC Highlights:

4:46 pm: PM Modi made crores jobless, with a smile, says Rahul Gandhi on demonetisation

4:45 pm: Gabbar Singh Tax (GST) can't be understood by our traders even today: Rahul Gandhi. 

4:43 pm: Want to assure you all, I guarantee you Minimum Income when Congress comes to power in 2019, says Rahul Gandhi

4:42 pm: Did people get Rs 15 lakh into their bank accounts as promised by Narendra Modi, says Rahul Gandhi. 

4:40 pm: Narendra Modi creating two Indias, one for Mehul Choksi, Vijay Mallya, Nirav Modi...and the other for the poor, farmers

4:37 pm: We had put Masood Azhar in jai. It was their govt that let him go to Pakistan, says Rahul Gandhi

4:35 pm: First time in history, 4 Supreme Court judges went to press & said they are not allowed to work. Generally, people go to SC for justice but in today’s Hindustan, SC judges are going to public & asking for justice, says Rahul Gandhi

4:32 pm: Patidar leader Hardik Patel joins Congress party. He is present today at the Congress party's public rally in Gandhinagar.

4:32 pm: Narendra Modi ji had promised all of us to work against corruption, says Rahul Gandhi

4:31 pm: Narendra Modi did nothing for farmers, says Rahul Gandhi

4:30 pm: Rahul Gandhi addresses CWC meeting

4:25 pm: Issues which should be raised must comprise as to what is most important for you&how can you move forward. How will youth get jobs, how will women feel safe, what will be done for farmers. These are the issues for elections: Priyanka Gandhi

4:23 pm: You will have to think what exactly is this election. What are you going to choose in this election? You are going to choose your future. Useless issues should not be raised: Priyanka Gandhi

4:21 pm: Saddened by what is happening in India: Priyanka Gandhi at Gujarat rally 

4:20 pm: What happened to promise of crores of jobs: Priyanka Gandhi targets Modi govt

4:18 pm: Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, Congress in Gandhinagar, Gujarat: This country is made on the foundations of love, harmony & brotherhood. Today whatever is happening in the country is very sad

4:15 pm: Our institutions are being trampled, says Priyanka Gandhi

4:13 pm: Hatred is being spread across the nation, says Priyanka Gandhi

4:11 pm: I've come to Sabarmati for the first time. Got emotional hearing Bhajan here, says Priyanka Gandhi

4:10 pm: Priyanka Gandhi addresses first public speech from Ahmedabad 

1:00 pm: Ahmedabad: Patidar leader Hardik Patel reaches Sardar Patel Smarak where Congress Working Committee (CWC) meeting is underway

Patidar leader Hardik Patel, who shot to fame by spearheading a quota stir in the state and is set to fight the Lok Sabha polls, will officially join the Congress at the meeting in the presence of party chief Rahul Gandhi.

Sources said the CWC is likely to authorise the party president to finalise alliances in key states with other like-minded parties in order to defeat the BJP 'unitedly'. They said the party was also likely to discuss the issue of national security and pass a resolution condemning terrorism of any kind. 

The day-long meeting of the Congress Working Committee--the highest decision making body of the party-- assumes significance as it comes barely two days after the declaration of the poll schedule. The meeting is being held in Gujarat after a gap of 58 years. It was last held in the state at Bhavnagar in 1961.