She said she is saddened by what is happening in the country. "This country is made on the foundations of love, harmony and brotherhood. Today whatever is happening in the country is very sad.
"I tell you, no patriotism is bigger than being aware. Your vote is a weapon. It is a weapon that does not harm or hurt anyone but will empower you."
In a direct attack on Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Priyanka said: "What happened to the promise of two crore jobs and the promise of depositing Rs 15 lakh into every citizen's bank account. What about women's safety?"
"Our institutions are being destroyed. Wherever you see, hatred is being spread. Nothing matters more to us that you and I protect this nation, work for it and move forward together," she said.
Amid slogans comparing her with Indira Gandhi, she made a short speech in a conversational style in Hindi, saying this was her first visit to Gujarat.
"When I went to the Gandhi Ashram in Sabarmati, I was almost driven to tears," she said, adding that it was "crucial that the message about real issues should go out from this land of the Mahatma.
"In this election, raise issues that are real, not trivial and diversionary, and this is your responsibility as the true citizens. This country belongs to nobody else but to you.
"Issues which should be raised must comprise as to what is most important for you and how can you move forward. How will youth get jobs, how will women feel safe, what will be done for farmers. These are the issues for elections. I appeal to you to take your decision with caution," she said.
Priyanka Gandhi said the real India was not about spreading hatred everywhere.
"The true nature of India is love and compassion towards one and all, not hatred. It is this very ethos which is being destroyed," she said.