Priyanka Gandhi Vadra has said she has a complaint against the people of Uttar Pradesh: they don’t ask questions of their governments after bringing them to power.
“Who destroyed the families of 700 farmers? You need to ask this of the government,” the Congress general secretary said at a well-attended rally in Moradabad city on Thursday.
“Why did the Prime Minister not observe silence for even two minutes in Parliament over the death of the 700 farmers who were protesting against the black farm laws? I have a complaint: you don’t ask them questions.”
Priyanka told the gathering that the success of the farmers’ movement was a testimony to the power of the people.
“The success of the farmers’ movement has made it clear that a concerted effort by the people can force any government to bow before them,” she said.
The Congress’s Rahul Gandhi and other Opposition leaders stage a dharna on Thursday demanding the revocation of the suspension of 12 Rajya Sabha members. The protest is being held everyday at the foot of Mahatma Gandhi’s statue on the Parliament premises. PTI photo
The Centre has repealed three controversial farm laws after a yearlong protest by farmers.
“Something new has emerged: if you make up your mind, if you stand firm, the government will accept your demands…. The farmers’ movement has made people realise their power,” Priyanka said.
Pankaj Srivastava, media coordinator of the state Congress, claimed that more than one lakh people attended the rally. A local police officer put the figure at 70,000.
Moradabad is the hometown of Priyanka’s in-laws. She apologised to the gathering for visiting the city after a long gap.
Priyanka attacked Samajwadi Party president Akhilesh Yadav and Bahujan Samaj Party leader Mayawati.
“There was casteism and goondaism during the SP rule (2012 to 2017). The SP slogan is ‘Aa rahe hain Akhilesh (Akhilesh is coming)’. Do you understand its meaning?” she asked.
Voices in the crowd responded with: “Yes, it means the goons are coming.”
Priyanka alleged corruption during Mayawati’s rule (2007 to 2012).
“Ask the SP and the BSP why they were silent when the Citizenship Amendment Bill and (the update of) the National Register of Citizens were brought in by the central government,” she said.
