Gwalior (MP), July 21 (Representative) In a no-holds-barred offensive against Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Congress General Secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra on Friday fired a broadside at the former by accusing him of playing the politics of arrogance that turns a Nelson’s eye to internal disturbances and skyrocketing prices while handing over the nation’s assets to a handful of his tycoon friends.Addressing a Jan Aakrosh Maharally in this divisional headquarters that is considered Union Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia’s ‘citadel’, the visiting leader said, “It is the Prime Minister’s responsibility to maintain political civility. In the wake of the Opposition parties’ meeting at Bengaluru, the PM denounced all opposition leaders and parties as thieves! These personages are state representatives who advanced in the political arena by raising issues of the people. Manipur is burning for months, atrocities are being perpetrated against women and there is no shelter. For 77 long days, there was no statement in this context by the PM, let alone action. On Thursday, compulsion made him break his silence but he spoke a single sentence adulterated with politics.” Speaking in a conversational manner and occasionally sporting reading glasses during her 33-minute-long address, Mrs Priyanka said, “The back-breaking price rise is the titanic issue and it’s not merely about foodstuff – tomatoes are selling for Rs 150 per kg. Repairing your dwellings is expensive, children’s fees are exorbitant and there is no money even to purchase medicine. I simply do not comprehend as to how you manage. My sisters, cooking oil and gas are so dear that I wonder how you wake up and face the next day? A certain business magnate raked in Rs 1,600 crore within a day whereas the cultivator does not even earn Rs 27. I think it is proper that in every election, leaders visiting each locality or village are made to answer for inflation and unemployment.”
Turning her gun on the Agniveer Yojana, she said that the Army is a source of livelihood for many and underlined the fact that Gwalior division produces numerous gallant personnel. “I interacted with some youngsters from Haryana who said that youths are quitting in the training phase itself as they wonder why they should undergo such hardship if they shall be rendered jobless just four years later. The agrarian sector also would not serve as a panacea,” Mrs Priyanka observed.In the context of Madhya Pradesh, she mentioned the patwari scam, the fact that the Kamal Nath dispensation was brought down by subterfuge and said that even Mahakal Lok fell victim to corruption. “Eighteen years in the saddle definitely generates arrogance and laziness. Officers and those around also do not provide proper advice. Public attention is diverted and the powers that be are under the mistaken impression that public memory is short. Social tension leads to atrocities against the weak, particularly tribal folk and women. Did life improve for peasants and vendors? You exist in paucity as you lack awareness. You are guilty of the lacuna that you do not pose the right questions to bigwigs. As many as 22,000 announcements were made but were even 2,000 implemented? Youths are committing suicide due to unemployment. This regime has made you dependent,” Mrs Priyanka alleged.The struggle for India’s Independence was named Satyagraha and “our political foundation” was laid there. It is “our tradition” that leaders should exhibit sabhyata, saralta, saadgi and sachhai (civility, ease, simplicity and truth). “However, today’s circumstances are radically divergent. Is present-day politics trapped in allegations and counter-allegations alone? The real issues sink without a trace in the midst of this quagmire. Can we speak of matters pertaining to the populace? Criticism is easy. I can dwell on Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan’s dramatics and how Mr Scindia changed his mind.
After the Congress returns to power in Madhya Pradesh, the old pension scheme shall be implemented; Rs 1,500 each deposited per month in all sisters’ accounts; a cooking gas cylinder will cost only Rs 500, as many as 100 units of electricity will be free; bills shall be halved vis-à-vis 200 units’ consumption and the process of agricultural debt waiver completed,” she assured. Mrs Priyanka urged Congress state President Nath to eventually enhance pension for the differently able from the present figure of Rs 600.Speaking on the occasion, Mr Nath obliquely targeted Mr Scindia and Mr Chouhan by saying, “I am neither a ‘maharaja’ nor a ‘mama’ but an ordinary man – your brother. A machine of announcements and scams is plying at double speed.” The Assembly’s Leader of the Opposition Govind Singh lambasted Mr Scindia for leaving the Congress and entering BJP ranks.In the words of Chhindwara parliamentarian Nakul K Nath, “Madhya Pradesh is the BJP’s ‘headquarters’ vis-à-vis corruption, atrocities and scams. Tribal brethren are insulted.” Rajya Sabha Member Vivek K Tankha claimed that the “pro-Congress wave sweeping the state” is reminiscent of 1984. Earlier, Mrs Priyanka offered floral tributes at the samadhi of Rani Lakshmibai. The visiting leader was flanked by Mr Nath and Dr Singh. She performed parikrama (circumambulation) of the memorial prior to departing for the venue of the rally. In June, Mrs Priyanka performed Narmada aarti at Jabalpur and addressed a public meeting in that city, which is the largest in Mahakoshal region. Of the 230 Assembly seats in election-bound Madhya Pradesh, 34 are occupied by representatives from Gwalior and Chambal divisions.