Congress will challenge BJP in 2019 under Rahul: CP Joshi

New Delhi: Notwithstanding the setbacks suffered by the party in Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand, the Congress today said it was working to deal with new political narrative being witnessed in the country since 2014 and hoped that it would put up a formidable challenge to the BJP and Prime Minister Narendra Modi in the 2019 Lok Sabha elections. Talking to reporters here, AICC spokesperson and general secretary C P Joshi said, 'Since the BJP came to power at the Centre under the leadership of Mr Narendra Modi, we are facing a new narrative.

We are preparing ourselves to meet the new challenges. I am hopeful that we will give a formidable challenge to Mr Narendra Modi in 2019 under the leadership of Mr Rahul Gandhi.' On those questioning the leadership of Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi, Mr Joshi said, 'Today Rahul Gandhi is the only leader who is giving a tough fight to Mr Modi and the BJP.' Accusing the BJP of securing power in Goa and Manipur through unconstitutional means, Mr Joshi said, "It is a dark chapter in our Parliamentary democracy.

 In Manipur, despite the Congress with 28 seats in the 60-member assembly, staking claim to form a government there, the Governor did not invite the party and instead gave a chance to the BJP on the basis of a 'manufactured majority'.' Both in Goa and Manipur, the BJP managed to form a government despite the Congress being the largest party with 17 seats and 28 seats respectively. The Congress has charged the BJP-led Central Government with indulging in a 'murder of democracy' in both the states. (UNI)