National Desk
May 29
Sandeep Dhand Ludhiana
Senior Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra on Tuesday criticized Prime Minister Narendra Modi, labeling him as ‘anti-people’ and accusing him of misleading the public using religion to maintain power. Addressing election rallies in Gargret and Kutlaihar of Himachal’s Una district, Priyanka condemned Modi for neglecting the state and failing to aid victims of last year’s natural calamity.
“He has ignored the people of Himachal and has not sent a single penny to the victims,” Priyanka declared. She alleged that the central government under Modi’s leadership did not declare the monsoon disaster as a national emergency nor provided any special relief package, despite the devastation.
Priyanka also accused the BJP of attempting to destabilize the Congress-led state government by bribing Congress MLAs to switch sides, referencing six Congress legislators who voted for the BJP candidate in the Rajya Sabha elections and later joined the saffron party.
Furthermore, she criticized the central government’s handling of the state’s pension schemes. “When the Congress government restored the old pension scheme in Himachal Pradesh, the Centre did not release the deposits under the National Pension Scheme to thwart our efforts,” she claimed.
Priyanka accused Modi of reducing import taxes on American apples, which she argued harmed local farmers. Campaigning for Congress candidates in upcoming by-elections, she emphasized that the BJP’s actions have been generally anti-people and detrimental to Himachal Pradesh’s interests.
Her statements come as the Congress intensifies its campaign for the Hamirpur Lok Sabha seat and Vidhan Sabha by-elections in Gagret and Kutlaihar, aiming to capitalize on local discontent and challenge the BJP’s dominance in the region.