Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra launched a fierce attack on Prime Minister Narendra Modi during an election rally on Friday, accusing him of diminishing the dignity of the office through his speeches. She called for a change in leadership, stating that it is time for the country to elect a new Prime Minister to “correct” the current state of politics. Her remarks came as she addressed voters ahead of the upcoming Lok Sabha elections.
Speaking at the rally, Priyanka Gandhi expressed disappointment over Modi’s campaign tactics, specifically targeting his support for Prajwal Revanna, the NDA candidate from Hassan, who faces charges of sexual abuse. “There has been a good tradition of electing Prime Ministers in this country. Legends like Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru and Lal Bahadur Shastri have held the position. Two other Prime Ministers even sacrificed their lives for the country. When you elect a Prime Minister, you expect them to uphold the dignity of the office,” she said, drawing a contrast between past leaders and Modi’s current leadership.
Criticism of Modi’s Support for Accused Candidate
One of the key issues Priyanka Gandhi addressed was Modi’s endorsement of Revanna, a suspended JD(S) leader accused of sexual abuse. She criticized the Prime Minister for campaigning alongside someone facing such serious allegations. “But today, our Prime Minister stands on stage with a leader who has sexually abused several women and seeks votes in his name,” she said.
Priyanka further accused Modi and his government of turning a blind eye to crimes and corruption, stating that when facts about such individuals come to light, they manage to flee the country. “When things come out, the accused escapes from the country, and the Prime Minister and the Home Minister pretend they didn’t know. They speak as though they knew nothing, yet they know exactly who is where and what they are doing. But somehow, this leader managed to escape,” she said, referring to other cases where prominent figures fled legal scrutiny under Modi’s leadership.
Questioning Modi’s Stance on Women’s Safety
Priyanka Gandhi also took aim at Modi’s frequent claims about empowering women, calling it hypocritical in light of his association with accused individuals like Revanna. “On one hand, he talks about making women self-reliant, but on the other, he supports offenders against women. How can he stand before you and talk about protecting women’s rights while supporting such people?” she asked the crowd, questioning the consistency of his statements on women’s safety and empowerment.
She further criticized Modi’s speeches during the election campaign for focusing on irrelevant issues, such as Pakistan, rather than addressing the real concerns of Indian voters. “On the election stage, he speaks about Pakistan, while the elections are happening here in India. After ten years of his rule, is this what you expected from your Prime Minister?” she asked, suggesting that Modi’s government had failed to address the country’s pressing issues.
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A Call for Change
As the election approaches, Priyanka Gandhi urged the voters to reflect on their choices and take responsibility for the future of the country. “Time has come for you to choose a new Prime Minister. Time has come for you to correct the politics of the country, just like you did in Karnataka. This is your country, and it is your responsibility to protect it,” she declared, encouraging voters to consider the broader consequences of their electoral decisions.
Priyanka also accused the BJP of being closely connected with powerful billionaires who control the media, claiming that these ties prevent the truth from being reported. She suggested that efforts were being made to stifle dissent and suppress opposition voices, stating, “They want to silence anyone who speaks out against Modi and the BJP. They are threatening and targeting opposition leaders, and for the first time in our history, we have two sitting Chief Ministers in jail during elections.”
A Rallying Cry for the Congress
Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar and AICC General Secretary Randeep Singh Surjewala were also present at the rally, which was held in support of the Congress candidate from the Davangere Lok Sabha segment, set to go to the polls on May 7. Priyanka’s speech was a clear rallying cry for Congress supporters, positioning the upcoming election as a pivotal moment to correct the direction of the country’s politics.
As the campaign heats up, Priyanka Gandhi’s remarks are likely to intensify the already charged political atmosphere. With the election just around the corner, her message of restoring dignity to the office of the Prime Minister and correcting the course of the nation’s politics will resonate with many voters looking for change.
