Priyanka Gandhi visits Bhim Army chief Chandrashekhar Azad in hospital, says 'liked his struggle'

Less than a month ahead of the Lok Sabha elections, Priyanka Gandhi Vadra on Wednesday met Bhim Army chief Chandrashekhar Azad at a Meerut hospital where the Dalit leader was admitted a day earlier.

Congress general secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra Wednesday met Bhim Army chief Chandrashekhar Azad at a hospital in Meerut.

MEERUT: Congress General Secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra on Wednesday visited Bhim Army chief Chandrashekhar Azad in a city hospital here. Priyanka, who was last month given the task to revive the grand old party in Uttar Pradesh east, however, denied any political angle to the meeting but praised Chandrashekhar for his "struggle" and raising voice against the "arrogant" BJP regime. "There is no political angle attached to this meeting. I visited him because I like his struggle. He is a youth, who is raising voice against an arrogant regime. The state government has failed to provide employment to the youth and now wants to muzzle their voices," Priyanka said. Priyanka Gandhi arrived at Anand Hospital along with Western Uttar Pradesh in-charge Jyotiraditya Scindia and Uttar Pradesh party chief Raj Babbar. When asked if the Congress is mulling to field Chandrashekhar on its ticket from Nagina (reserved) seat in Lok Sabha polls, Priyanka said: "There is no such thing. Please do not give any political connotation to the conversation." Chandrashekhar Azad was taken into custody by police on Tuesday for violating the model code of conduct. Azad was detained while leading a procession that included cars and motorcycles, but was shifted to the hospital when he took ill. While talking to ABP News, Chandrashekhar said it was not a political meeting and Priyanka's visit was purely a humanitarian gesture. The Dalit leader said his outfit will put the "last nail the BJP's coffin" on March 15 in Delhi, where they have planned a public rally at Jantar Mantar. He said his sole aim to oust Prime Minister Narendra Modi from power and his party the BJP from Uttar Pradesh. "I am heading a social movement and not in a position to talk about politics. My aim is not to become an MP or MLA but to empower my community." "We won't let Narendra Modi win from Uttar Pradesh. I would urge the Mahagathbandhan to field a strong candidate against Modi from Varanasi. If the SP-BSP alliance can leave two seats for the Congress, it can give one to us. In case, Modi fights Lok Sabha elections from Varanasi, I will contest against him," he said. Meanwhile, the BJP flayed Priyanka Gandhi's visit saying she was in Uttar Pradesh to meet party leader Imran Masood, who during the 2014 Lok Sabha elections threatened to "chop" Narendra Modi "into pieces". The Congress has once again fielded Masood from Saharanpur.