New Delhi, Aug 7 (IANS) Congress President Rahul Gandhi on Tuesday said his party was working with other opposition parties to wage an ideological battle against the "purely male-chauvinist" RSS and its political front the BJP.
Making a stinging attack on the saffron parties at an event organised by All India Mahila Congress, Gandhi said the BJP's parent organisation was so male dominated ideologically that it had no place for women.
He also attacked the Modi government and said there was no institution or minority community in the country which was not under attack under its rule.
Gandhi said the Congress was committed to protect all institutions and communities and was working with all opposition parties on an ideological basis to fight the BJP and Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS).
Gandhi said he was committed to create a special space for women at every level in the party and that he would ensure that they have equal stake as men in the Congress.
"The RSS and BJP cannot give such a vision to the country. They have never allowed women in the RSS... which is a purely male chauvinist organisation that doesn't give any space to women."
He added: "The BJP is devastating our country and damaging our institutions. There is no institution in the country which is not under attack.
"Minorities, Dalits, women and tribals: all of them are under attack. It is our responsibility to protect them all and we will not back down. We will defeat the BJP."
The Congress leader said while he was committed to promote women by creating a special space for them, but that they won't get it for free.
"You'll have to earn it. You will have to compete with men... You will have to learn policy-making and how to fight elections."
Gandhi added while he would pick the more capable candidates irrespective of the gender, but given a choice between equally capable man and woman, he would chose woman - be it in internal party structures or while giving election ticket.
