Monday, 23 December 2024
Monday, 23 December 2024
As Priyanka Gandhi Vadra hit the campaign trail in Wayanad for the upcoming Lok Sabha bypoll, she delivered powerful speeches that combined personal anecdotes, sharp political critiques, and pledges to stand for the people of Wayanad. Here are five key messages from her campaign, where she made her electoral debut, running as the UDF candidate.
'A mother's love for her children': A pledge to serve Wayanad
Priyanka compared her commitment to Wayanad to a mother’s love for her children. She promised the people of Wayanad that she would be their voice not just in Parliament but across all platforms, stating, "Given a chance, I would fight for the people of Wayanad not only in the Parliament, but on every other platform." She drew a parallel to the bond her brother Rahul Gandhi has with Wayanad, calling for voters' support to continue her family's legacy of service.
A direct critique of BJP’s politics
Priyanka didn’t mince words when it came to criticising the BJP-led central government, accusing it of spreading divisive politics that she claimed harm India’s social fabric. "He is the kind of leader who spreads mistrust and fear among communities and the public to divide people as long as it keeps him in power," she said, referring to Prime Minister Narendra Modi. She added that this politics of fear, hatred, and divisiveness has led to worsening conditions for farmers and small businesses, particularly in Wayanad, where she noted local farmers are struggling under heavy debt.
Calling out loan waivers for big businesses
Taking another jab at the Modi government, Priyanka alleged that while the Centre wrote off Rs 16 lakh crore in loans for big businesses, farmers and small business owners continue to suffer. She described small and medium businesses as 'the backbone of the country’s economy,' and argued they deserve government support just as much as large corporations do. Priyanka claimed the BJP’s focus on aiding corporate interests has led to rising unemployment and the soaring cost of essential goods—pressing issues that she emphasised in every corner meeting.
The need for real solutions to local problems
Priyanka touched on specific local issues, vowing to fight for improvements in tourism, healthcare, education, and water supply, and mentioning her brother’s efforts to address these in Wayanad. Despite the upgrading of a hospital to a medical college, she noted it still 'lacks essential facilities due to political reasons.' Priyanka urged residents to advocate for solutions, stating, “We can achieve this by promoting various forms of tourism, such as ecotourism and spiritual tourism,” and promised to be a 'fighter' for the constituency.
Personal responsibility and presence in Wayanad
Priyanka also took on critics questioning her commitment to the constituency by humorously recounting a story about her son’s boarding school days. She recalled how her frequent visits to her son’s school led the principal to request she cut down on them, suggesting that Wayanad could also see her so often that they’d "like the principal...say, ‘Please, enough now, go and stay in Delhi for a while.’” For her, representing Wayanad means building 'a duty, a responsibility, a strong bond of love and affection' with its people, underscoring her pledge to be a consistent presence.
