The Aryavarth Express
Agency (Himachal Pradesh): In a rally held in Gagret, Himachal Pradesh, Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra criticized Prime Minister Narendra Modi, labeling him as “anti-people” and accusing him of misleading the public in the name of religion to stay in power. She highlighted the adverse impact of reduced import duties on American apples on local growers and accused the Modi government of neglecting disaster-hit regions.
Speaking at the rally on May 28, Priyanka Gandhi emphasized the contrast between former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi’s sacrifices and Modi’s rhetoric. “Former prime minister Indira Gandhi had given her jewellery for the country in time of need and Modi says that the Congress people will steal your mangalsutra,” she said, arguing that such language is unbecoming of the country’s prime minister.
Gandhi Vadra accused Modi of considering himself as divine and relying on religious sentiments to garner votes, asserting that people will not be deceived by these tactics. She urged support for Congress candidates Satpal Raizada from Hamirpur Lok Sabha seat and Rakesh Kalia for the Gagret by-assembly poll, labeling the BJP as “anti-people in general and anti-youth in particular.”
Highlighting the reduction in import duty on American apples, Priyanka Gandhi pointed out that this decision negatively affects local apple growers in Himachal Pradesh. She further criticized the BJP-led Centre for failing to provide financial aid to the disaster-hit people of Himachal while waiving off loans worth Rs 16 lakh crore for affluent industrialists.
During last year’s severe monsoon disaster, she noted, Congress leaders and workers were actively involved in relief efforts, unlike the BJP, which was notably absent. “We work for you, not for power or money and feel that it is our duty,” she added.
Gandhi Vadra also accused the central government of attempting to undermine the democratically elected Congress government in Himachal Pradesh by using financial inducements, alluding to the controversy involving six Congress rebels who recently joined the BJP. She condemned the Centre for neither declaring the monsoon calamity a national disaster nor providing any special financial package for the state.