New Delhi: Kickstarting Congress party’s campaign in Uttar Pradesh’s Varanasi, Congress General Secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra recited ‘Durga Stuti’ as she began her address in the ‘Kisan Nyay’ rally earlier today.
Priyanka Gandhi on Sunday addressed the 'Kisan Nyay' rally at a ground in the Rohania area in Prime Minister Narendra Modi‘s parliamentary constituency.
News agency ANI shared a video of Priyanka Gandhi reciting the ‘Durga Stuti’ as she began her speech.
“It is the fourth day of Navratri and I would like to begin with Maa’s stuti,” she said. She further asked the crowd to join her in saying “Jai Maata Di”.
Addressing the gathering, Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra said: “Last week, the son of Union MoS (Home) mowed down 6 farmers with his vehicle. Families of all the victims said they want justice but all of you have seen that the government is shielding the minister and his son”, ANI reported.
She further alleged that “the CM is shielding the minister from public forum”, adding that, “PM came to Lucknow to see the performance of ‘Uttam Pradesh’ and ‘Azaadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav’ but couldn’t go to Lakhimpur Kheri to share the grief of the victim’s families”.
“PM Modi called the protesting farmers 'Andolan Jivi' and terrorists. Yogi Ji called them hooligans and tried to threaten them. The same minister (Ajay Kumar Mishra) said that he would make the protesting farmers fall in line within 2 minutes,” the Congress leader added, as quoted by ANI.
The Congress general secretary also brought up the issue of the special Air India One aircraft along with Air India divestment, alleging: “Modi Ji bought two aircraft for himself for Rs 16,000 crores last year. He sold the entire Air India of this country for just Rs 18,000 crores to this billionaire friends”.
She further claimed that “only two types of people are safe in this country today -- BJP leaders who are in power and their billionaire friends”.
Ahead of her ‘Kisan Nyay’ address, Priyanka Gandhi had also offered prayers at the Kashi Vishwanath Temple and Durga Mata Temple in Varanasi.
She was accompanied by Chhattisgarh Chief Minister and party observer for upcoming UP polls Bhupesh Baghel, and party MP Deepender Singh Hooda.
Even as early poll predictions do not paint a hopeful picture for Congress with respect to the upcoming Uttar Pradesh election, Priyanka Gandhi is entrusted with the responsibility to revive the party’s presence in the Hindi heartland.
Whether or not her attempts to connect with the people of UP bear results for Congress, remains to be seen.