Hitting back at Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who has been hammering the Congress over an alleged “wealth redistribution” promise in its platform, Priyanka Gandhi Vadra stated that she has seen various Prime Ministers, including her father, whom she “brought back in pieces,” but not one who lies to the public.
PM Modi has said at numerous rallies during the ongoing Lok Sabha election that the Congress pledged “wealth redistribution” in its agenda and would not spare even women’s’mangalsutras’ – a piece of jewellery worn by Hindu married women. The Congress, including its president, Mallikarjun Kharge, has disputed the accusation and accused the Prime Minister of disseminating falsehoods.
On Saturday, Ms Gandhi addressed a gathering in Dharampur village, Valsad, Gujarat, PM Modi’s home state, saying in Hindi, “I have seen many Prime Ministers, and not just from my family. Yes, Indira Gandhi was one of them, and she gave her life for the country. Rajiv Gandhi was also a Prime Minister; I carried him home in bits, and he gave his life for his nation.
Rajiv Gandhi was killed in 1991 by a 22-year-old Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) member who exploded an RDX-laden belt while stooping down to touch Gandhi’s feet.
Ms Gandhi went on to say, “Manmohan Singh brought about a revolution in our country. Beyond the Congress party, there was Atal Bihari Vajpayee, who was at least civilised. I can confidently state that this will be the country’s first Prime Minister to lie to you in this way. Who does not realise that he is speaking in front of others and should be stating the truth?”
“He is now urging people to be vigilant, stating that the Congress will come with an X-ray machine, inspect what they have, steal their jewellery and’mangalsutras,’ and give them to someone else. The Prime Minister is stating this. Is it possible that this is true? What’s the problem with our nyay (justice) manifesto? “Is his confidence shaken?” she inquired.
‘Changing the Constitution’
Repeating her party’s assertion that the BJP set a target of 400 seats for the NDA in order to change the constitution, she claimed that the governing party ignores certain facts before taking power and then executes its agenda.
“You may have seen that multiple BJP officials, ministers, and candidates have stated in various places that they will amend the Constitution. But Prime Minister Narendra Modi claims they have no such plans. If you look at their history, you’ll notice that they have junior leaders express what the party intends to do and then immediately deny it,” she added.
“As soon as they take power, they do what they said they would not do. This is their strategy and their procedure. The Congress leader alleged that they seek to amend the Constitution in order to damage democracy and rob people of their rights.
On May 7, the third phase of voting in Gujarat will take place for all 26 seats. results will be announced on June 4.