New Delhi: Launching a scathing attack on the Centre, Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi said religion and caste issues are being raked up to divert the attention of people from problems ailing the country. Addressing ‘Mahila Samriddhi Sammelan’ in poll-bound Chhattisgarh on Thursday, Gandhi said, “Today, sentiments of people are being used for political purposes to divert their attention by bringing up the issues of religion and caste. This is a political conspiracy to not let people raise their grievances.”
The Congress General Secretary reached Raipur on Thursday as her party stepped up its poll-preparedness ahead of the state elections. She was welcomed by Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel and his Deputy T S Singh Deo.
Taking to X (formerly Twitter), the party posted earlier in the day, “Congress General Secretary Priyanka Gandhi Ji will address a huge public meeting in the ‘Women’s Samriddhi Sammelan’ organized in Chhattisgarh today.”
Taking further potshots at Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led government at the Centre, the Congress leader said, “The government spent Rs 27,000 crore on the recently-held G20 Summit in New Delhi, spent Rs 20,000 crore on Yashobhoomi, but they (Centre) won’t be able to answer if you question them on development, unemployment, hike in prices of essential items.”
Hitting out at the Prime Minister, Gandhi further said, “There is nothing wrong in hosting a global conclave. It is a matter of pride for every Indian if the stature of the country is elevated before a global audience. But in doing so, the economically-backward sections and the middle class should not be neglected. They should not forget who voted them to power.”
“Chhattisgarh is still governed on the basis of old political principles and practices,” she added.
It is to be noted that the Assembly elections to five state – Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh, Mizoram, Rajasthan and Telangana – will be held later this year.