Sonbhadra Killings: Priyanka Gandhi Speaks Up For The First Time After Detention; Explains Her Side of Story

Priyanka Gandhi on Saturday explained her side of the story and said that she didn't want to violate any laws and continued to go towards Sonbhadra as the officials did not show legal document stating section 144 was imposed in the area.

New Delhi: After spending the night in Mirzapur guesthouse, Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi on Saturday addressed media and issued a clarification on the entire episode which was led to her detention by the Uttar Pradesh police. Adamant about meeting the families of the Sonbhadra land dispute victims, Gandhi declared that she would not go back without meeting the families. “I will not go back without meeting the families of the victims”. “If section 144 is imposed in Sonbhadra then I am ready to go alone and meet the families” she added. Gandhi explained that on being asked to stop her journey towards Sonbhadra, she was not shown any legal document saying section 144 was imposed. “I was not shown any document and the officials only showed me a Whatsapp notification” “I didn’t want to violate section 144” she said.

Congress takes on BJP:

The Congress Saturday alleged that the BJP government in Uttar Pradesh wants to "deport" party general secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra so that she cannot meet the victims of the Sonbhadra clash. The party also alleged that "jungle raj" was prevalent in the state and the government had failed to take action against the guilty. "BJP government fails to prevent Sonbhadra Massacre. BJP government fails to act against guilty.BJP government illegally arrests Priyanka ji for wanting to meet families," Congress' chief spokesperson Randeep Surjewala said in a tweet.

Priyanka detained by UP police:

Priyanka Gandhi was on Friday detained and stopped from going to Sonbhadra where 10 people were gunned down this week, triggering a standoff with the BJP government in Uttar Pradesh. Refusing to furnish a personal bond, the Congress general secretary stayed put at a guesthouse in Mirzapur district where she was taken after she squatted on the road with her supporters, insisting that she be allowed to proceed and meet the victims' families.