Congress general secretary Priyanka Gandhi made her debut public speech in Gujarat today, after formally joining the Congress party in January this year. Gandhi launched her speech articulating the fact that the 2019 Lok Sabha election is in no way less than the struggle for Independence.
“This struggle is in no way less than the struggle for freedom… freedom from hatred,” Priyanka Gandhi.
Priyanka Gandhi Vadra first speech in Gandhinagar targeted @narendramodi about job creation, 15 lakh, women's security ?
— Saurav Ojha (@sauravojha16) March 12, 2019
She was better than @RahulGandhi in her 6:15 minute speech. @INCIndia @IYC https://t.co/nl9Ve1rdiX pic.twitter.com/PvZFm7FyJB
"Your vote is a weapon, your awakening is a weapon, your awareness is a weapon, so use it wisely because you are going to choose your future," she told as the crowd cheered on, BBC reported.
Avoiding a direct reference to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, she told a gathering, "Those who make big promises... ask them what happened to their promises of creating 20 million jobs, put money into bank accounts and said they would look after women."
She further added, “There is no bigger patriotism than being an aware citizen, your awareness is a weapon, your vote is a weapon.”
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About the April-May national election, she said, "Think and decide - those who talk big in front of you, where are the jobs they promised? What about the Rs 15 lakh in every bank account that they talked about? What about women's safety?" she continued at the rally in Ahmedabad, dressed in a white and blue sari.
Giant cutouts of her grandmother Indira Gandhi at the venue in Gandhinagar reminded many in the crowds of her striking resemblance to the former prime minister.
"Those who talk about fitrat (nature), the fitrat of this country is to seek the truth, the fitrat of this nation is to blow away the winds of hate with love," said the 47-year-old
Gandhi said "they" are adamant to raise all kinds of issues that have been unanswered. "Ask the right questions, this is your country. You have to guard the country," she said.
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"This is nothing less than the independence movement. Our institutions are being attacked, hatred is being spread everywhere. There can be no bigger thing than guarding the country and moving ahead together."
"This nation is based on love and brotherhood. It is sad at what is happening in the country these days. There is no bigger patriotism than awareness. Your awareness is a weapon; your vote is a weapon. It is a weapon that will not hurt or harm anyone. It is a weapon that will strengthen you," she said.
Your awareness is a weapon; your vote is a weapon. It is a weapon that will not hurt or harm anyone. It is a weapon that will strengthen you.
The Congress leader has recently joined active politics as general secretary in-charge of Uttar Pradesh East. During the rally, Congress president Rahul Gandhi and UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi were also present at the venue in Adalaj village of Gandhinagar district. India goes to polls for the next Lok Sabha beginning 11 April.
Picture Credit: NDTV