Rahul Gandhi has said he was favourite of his Indian grandmother Indira Gandhi and his sister Priyanka Gandhi Vadra was of their Italian grandmother Paola Maino. In an interview to the Italian daily "Corriere della Sera", the 52-year-old leader of Congress, one of India's key opposition parties, also faced a frequently-asked question on his marriage and said he "would like to have children" though.&nbsp; Asked why he did not get married until now, Gandhi said, "It's strange...I don't know. Too many things to do. But I would like to have children." Gandhi also shared his experiences from the 3,500-km Bharat Jodo Yatra from Kanyakumari to Kashmir. On a question about his beard that he has grown during the foot march, he said, "I had decided not to cut it for the whole march. Now I have to decide whether to keep it or not..."

Gandhi told the newspaper, "I was the Indian grandmother's favourite and my sister Priyanka was the Italian grandmother's favourite." He said she lived 98 years and "I was very attached to her, as I am to uncle Walter, to the cousins, to the whole family". Paola Maino died in Italy in August last year.

In his interview to the newspaper published on February 1, Gandhi alleged that fascism has entered the country as democratic structures were collapsing and Parliament was not functioning properly. He said Prime Minister Narendra Modi can be defeated in elections, scheduled next year, if the opposition presented an alternative vision to fascism. To a question on whether power could be transmitted by dynastic means, Gandhi said, "We are a family. A dynasty, if you will. But we have an idea to defend. Not India, the idea on which India is founded."

Watch: 'PM Modi gave away Indian territory to China', alleges Congress leader Rahul Gandhi

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Describing this idea, he said it is the coexistence of peoples and the realisation of oneself, through the non-violent search for the truth. "Ours is a mission. An almost religious idea. It is worth more than all of us, more than our own lives; for this I am ready to die, if necessary, as my grandmother and father died. It's such a strong idea that my mother, a woman born in Italy, dedicated her entire life to it...Here, I will defend this idea to the end," he said.

He also said, "Fascism is already there. Democratic structures collapse. Parliament is no longer working. I haven't been able to speak for two years, as soon as I speak they take my microphone off. The balance of powers is off. Justice is not independent. Centralism is absolute. The press is no longer free." "The manifestation of thought is prohibited. The concentration of wealth is scandalous. Hindu extremists of the RSS sect have infiltrated every institution and are conditioning it. People see no future because they are scared," he noted.

Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/in-parliament-indias-pm-narendra-modi-takes-veiled-dig-at-opposition-leader-rahul-gandhi-559963">In Parliament, India's PM Narendra Modi takes veiled dig at opposition leader Rahul Gandhi</a>

On whether PM Modi can be defeated in next year's elections, he said that if the opposition unites, one hundred per cent. "I didn't say he'll lose for sure. I said it sure can be beaten. Provided you oppose a vision not linked to the right or the left, but to peace and union. Fascism is defeated by offering an alternative. If two visions of India confront each other in the vote, we will be able to prevail," he asserted.

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Rahul Gandhi has said he was favourite of his Indian grandmother Indira Gandhi and his sister Priyanka Gandhi Vadra was of their Italian grandmother Paola Maino.

Rahul Gandhi has said he was favourite of his Indian grandmother Indira Gandhi and his sister Priyanka Gandhi Vadra was of their Italian grandmother Paola Maino. In an interview to the Italian daily "Corriere della Sera", the 52-year-old leader of Congress, one of India's key opposition parties, also faced a frequently-asked question on his marriage and said he "would like to have children" though. Asked why he did not get married until now, Gandhi said, "It's strange...I don't know. Too many things to do. But I would like to have children." Gandhi also shared his experiences from the 3,500-km Bharat Jodo Yatra from Kanyakumari to Kashmir. On a question about his beard that he has grown during the foot march, he said, "I had decided not to cut it for the whole march. Now I have to decide whether to keep it or not..." Gandhi told the newspaper, "I was the Indian grandmother's favourite and my sister Priyanka was the Italian grandmother's favourite." He said she lived 98 years and "I was very attached to her, as I am to uncle Walter, to the cousins, to the whole family". Paola Maino died in Italy in August last year. In his interview to the newspaper published on February 1, Gandhi alleged that fascism has entered the country as democratic structures were collapsing and Parliament was not functioning properly. He said Prime Minister Narendra Modi can be defeated in elections, scheduled next year, if the opposition presented an alternative vision to fascism. To a question on whether power could be transmitted by dynastic means, Gandhi said, "We are a family. A dynasty, if you will. But we have an idea to defend. Not India, the idea on which India is founded." Watch: 'PM Modi gave away Indian territory to China', alleges Congress leader Rahul Gandhi × Describing this idea, he said it is the coexistence of peoples and the realisation of oneself, through the non-violent search for the truth. "Ours is a mission. An almost religious idea. It is worth more than all of us, more than our own lives; for this I am ready to die, if necessary, as my grandmother and father died. It's such a strong idea that my mother, a woman born in Italy, dedicated her entire life to it...Here, I will defend this idea to the end," he said. He also said, "Fascism is already there. Democratic structures collapse. Parliament is no longer working. I haven't been able to speak for two years, as soon as I speak they take my microphone off. The balance of powers is off. Justice is not independent. Centralism is absolute. The press is no longer free." "The manifestation of thought is prohibited. The concentration of wealth is scandalous. Hindu extremists of the RSS sect have infiltrated every institution and are conditioning it. People see no future because they are scared," he noted. Also read: In Parliament, India's PM Narendra Modi takes veiled dig at opposition leader Rahul Gandhi On whether PM Modi can be defeated in next year's elections, he said that if the opposition unites, one hundred per cent. "I didn't say he'll lose for sure. I said it sure can be beaten. Provided you oppose a vision not linked to the right or the left, but to peace and union. Fascism is defeated by offering an alternative. If two visions of India confront each other in the vote, we will be able to prevail," he asserted. WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

"I was Indira Gandhi's favourite, sister Priyanka Italian grandmother's," recalls Rahul Gandhi

A car driven by a suspected drunk driver ploughed into pedestrians in a village in the Italian Alps, killing six German tourists and injuring 11 other people, emergency services said.

The accident happened at around 1:15 am (0015 GMT) in the village of Lutago near the Austrian border in South Tyrol province, which is popular with skiers.

A group of German tourists had left their bus after spending the evening at a nightclub when the car slammed into them at high-speed. Some of those hits were propelled dozens of metres.

Six Germans were killed, a fire service official in Lutago told media. Eleven other people were injured, including two who appeared to be from the South Tyrol region.

Two who were in a very serious condition were flown by helicopter to a hospital in Innsbruck in Austria. The nine others were taken to regional hospitals.

According to Rainews24, the driver was a 28-year-old man who lived locally and who "may have had a high level of alcohol in his blood".

He was arrested and put in hospital under police guard.

Some 160 emergency workers were at the scene, and a field hospital was set up by the roadside to provide first aid.

"A terrible scene, people on the ground, cries and pain, a tragedy,&nbsp;we don't have the words," a hotel receptionist told the Corriere Della Sera newspaper.

"We have asked several times for radar on this road as drivers speed up as soon as they leave Lutago, and here, one kilometre from the centre, they go at 100 kilometres an hour."

"The New Year has begun with a tragedy," South Tyrol governor Arno Kompatscher told reporters.

South Tyrol is a largely German-speaking province with a high degree of autonomy.

The German foreign ministry in Berlin said its consulate in Milan was "in close touch with the Italian authorities who are proceeding with the identification of the victims, assisting those who have been affected."

Lutago, located at an altitude of 970 metres (3,200 feet) in the picturesque Aurina valley, is popular with tourists who use the ski slopes of Klausberg&nbsp;and&nbsp;Speikboden.

The village of about 800 residents is the location for a popular Italian television series "A un Passo del Ciel" ("One step from heaven").

Last week, three Germans - a woman and two girls, one of them aged seven - were killed in an avalanche in South Tyrol.

A car driven by a suspected drunk driver ploughed into pedestrians in a village in the Italian Alps, killing six German tourists and injuring 11 other people, emergency services said.

A car driven by a suspected drunk driver ploughed into pedestrians in a village in the Italian Alps, killing six German tourists and injuring 11 other people, emergency services said. The accident happened at around 1:15 am (0015 GMT) in the village of Lutago near the Austrian border in South Tyrol province, which is popular with skiers. A group of German tourists had left their bus after spending the evening at a nightclub when the car slammed into them at high-speed. Some of those hits were propelled dozens of metres. Six Germans were killed, a fire service official in Lutago told media. Eleven other people were injured, including two who appeared to be from the South Tyrol region. Two who were in a very serious condition were flown by helicopter to a hospital in Innsbruck in Austria. The nine others were taken to regional hospitals. According to Rainews24, the driver was a 28-year-old man who lived locally and who "may have had a high level of alcohol in his blood". He was arrested and put in hospital under police guard. Some 160 emergency workers were at the scene, and a field hospital was set up by the roadside to provide first aid. "A terrible scene, people on the ground, cries and pain, a tragedy, we don't have the words," a hotel receptionist told the Corriere Della Sera newspaper. "We have asked several times for radar on this road as drivers speed up as soon as they leave Lutago, and here, one kilometre from the centre, they go at 100 kilometres an hour." "The New Year has begun with a tragedy," South Tyrol governor Arno Kompatscher told reporters. South Tyrol is a largely German-speaking province with a high degree of autonomy. The German foreign ministry in Berlin said its consulate in Milan was "in close touch with the Italian authorities who are proceeding with the identification of the victims, assisting those who have been affected." Lutago, located at an altitude of 970 metres (3,200 feet) in the picturesque Aurina valley, is popular with tourists who use the ski slopes of Klausberg and Speikboden. The village of about 800 residents is the location for a popular Italian television series "A un Passo del Ciel" ("One step from heaven"). Last week, three Germans - a woman and two girls, one of them aged seven - were killed in an avalanche in South Tyrol.

Six Germans killed as car hits pedestrians in Northern Italy

Italy's government, formed by the 5-Star Movement and the League party, will not fall as it is "the only possible one", <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/italys-new-government-will-overhaul-renzi-labour-reform-minister-says-141946">Deputy Prime Minister Luigi Di Maio</a> told the daily Il Corriere Della Sera in an interview published on Thursday.

Di Maio, who is also the 5-Stars' leader, said the party would never form an alternative majority with the centre-left PD party.

In a separate interview with the paper, Matteo Salvini, the other deputy prime minister and League leader, said there was still time to dissolve parliament and go to elections after the summer break, but that it was up to 5-Stars to decide whether Rome's populist government would survive.

Italy's government, formed by the 5-Star Movement and the League party, will not fall as it is "the only possible one", Deputy Prime Minister Luigi Di Maio told the daily Il Corriere Della Sera in an interview published on Thursday.

Italy's government, formed by the 5-Star Movement and the League party, will not fall as it is "the only possible one", Deputy Prime Minister Luigi Di Maio told the daily Il Corriere Della Sera in an interview published on Thursday. Di Maio, who is also the 5-Stars' leader, said the party would never form an alternative majority with the centre-left PD party. In a separate interview with the paper, Matteo Salvini, the other deputy prime minister and League leader, said there was still time to dissolve parliament and go to elections after the summer break, but that it was up to 5-Stars to decide whether Rome's populist government would survive.

Italy's Di Maio says government to survive, rules out alternative majority: Paper

Italy&nbsp;on Thursday&nbsp;was awaiting a decision from right-wing leader Matteo Salvini on whether to join a last-ditch attempt to form a government and avoid snap elections that would be focused on membership of the eurozone.

Salvini, the head of the League, has said he would "seriously consider" an offer&nbsp;on Wednesday&nbsp;from 5-Star leader Luigi Di Maio to resurrect their bid to govern together.

The first effort by the two largest anti-establishment forces was torpedoed&nbsp;on Sunday&nbsp;when President Sergio Mattarella rejected their candidate for the economy minister - 81-year-old economist Paolo Savona, who has spoken out forcefully against the single currency.

Mattarella then appointed a former International Monetary Fund official, Carlo Cottarelli, to form a stop-gap government of experts to lead the country to snap elections. But Cottarelli has so far failed to form a viable cabinet.

Di Maio, whose 5-Star emerged from the inconclusive&nbsp;March 4&nbsp;elections as the largest single party, urged Salvini to drop his insistence on Savona for the economy portfolio and agree to give him another post in the next government.

"Di Maio - Salvini: the Final Deal," was the headline in Corriere Della Sera newspaper, echoing the national feeling of crisis put into a holding pattern.

Salvini cancelled his scheduled appointments in northern Italy to fly to Rome and was expected to have a private meeting with Di Maio, a political source said.

Opinion polls show Salvini's League would see huge gains in any early elections while the 5-Star would remain steady.

Italian stocks were trading higher as signs emerged of a compromise to avoid snap elections that could be dominated by the issue of euro membership, calming investors.

Borrowing costs meanwhile edged lower. Italy's 2-year government bond yield, which has been the focus of a recent selloff, was down as much as 95 basis points at 1.40 per cent.

The latest development came amid a general calming of financial markets after&nbsp;Tuesday's&nbsp;rout when investor concerns prompted the biggest one-day rise since 1992 in Italian two-year bond yields and dented the euro's exchange rate.

"I have lost my patience. I have had enough, that is the truth," said exasperated Rome resident Teresa Gallo as she was walking to a market for her regular morning shopping.

Two polls released&nbsp;on Wednesday&nbsp;night showed that between 60-72 per cent of Italians want the country to remain part of the euro while 23-24 per cent would choose to drop the common currency.

Lupo Rattazzi, a prominent Italian businessman, ran a full-page advertisement in several national newspapers addressed to Salvini and Di Maio, warning their electorate of the dire consequences of leaving the euro.

Two polls released on Wednesday night showed that between 60-72 per cent of Italians want the country to remain part of the euro while 23-24 per cent would choose to drop the common currency

Italy on Thursday was awaiting a decision from right-wing leader Matteo Salvini on whether to join a last-ditch attempt to form a government and avoid snap elections that would be focused on membership of the eurozone. Salvini, the head of the League, has said he would "seriously consider" an offer on Wednesday from 5-Star leader Luigi Di Maio to resurrect their bid to govern together. The first effort by the two largest anti-establishment forces was torpedoed on Sunday when President Sergio Mattarella rejected their candidate for the economy minister - 81-year-old economist Paolo Savona, who has spoken out forcefully against the single currency. Mattarella then appointed a former International Monetary Fund official, Carlo Cottarelli, to form a stop-gap government of experts to lead the country to snap elections. But Cottarelli has so far failed to form a viable cabinet. Di Maio, whose 5-Star emerged from the inconclusive March 4 elections as the largest single party, urged Salvini to drop his insistence on Savona for the economy portfolio and agree to give him another post in the next government. "Di Maio - Salvini: the Final Deal," was the headline in Corriere Della Sera newspaper, echoing the national feeling of crisis put into a holding pattern. Salvini cancelled his scheduled appointments in northern Italy to fly to Rome and was expected to have a private meeting with Di Maio, a political source said. Opinion polls show Salvini's League would see huge gains in any early elections while the 5-Star would remain steady. Italian stocks were trading higher as signs emerged of a compromise to avoid snap elections that could be dominated by the issue of euro membership, calming investors. Borrowing costs meanwhile edged lower. Italy's 2-year government bond yield, which has been the focus of a recent selloff, was down as much as 95 basis points at 1.40 per cent. The latest development came amid a general calming of financial markets after Tuesday's rout when investor concerns prompted the biggest one-day rise since 1992 in Italian two-year bond yields and dented the euro's exchange rate. "I have lost my patience. I have had enough, that is the truth," said exasperated Rome resident Teresa Gallo as she was walking to a market for her regular morning shopping. Two polls released on Wednesday night showed that between 60-72 per cent of Italians want the country to remain part of the euro while 23-24 per cent would choose to drop the common currency. Lupo Rattazzi, a prominent Italian businessman, ran a full-page advertisement in several national newspapers addressed to Salvini and Di Maio, warning their electorate of the dire consequences of leaving the euro.

Italy awaits decision on last-ditch deal to avoid snap elections