Workers in Amethi will reply to Modi's low-level politics: Priyanka Gandhi

All India Congress Committee (AICC) general secretary Priyanka criticized the Prime Minister over his 'nationalism' pitch for the Lok Sabha polls and said that he should learn to pay respect all martyrs including the father of an opposition leader who laid down their lives for the country. This was an apparent indication towards Rajiv Gandhi.

Even though Priyanka neither named Rajiv nor Rahul, her reference was apparent as she said, "Jo shaheed apke vipaksha ke neta ke pita hai ... unka bhi aadar kariye" (also respect the martyr who is the father of an opposition leader).

If BJP and its front-runners assert to be nationalists, then they should respect martyrs regardless of their religion or political associations said Priyanka. "You are not a nationalist if you continue disrespecting those who have given their life for the country", she said.

Modi, who often makes references to Pakistan, was targeted by Priyanka, who said, "If you are nationalistic, speak about India and not Pakistan during elections. Speak about your policies and what you have done or will do for the youths, the farmers, the backwards and the women".

Priyanka had criticized Modi for "insulting" her martyred father even during the last election. Priyanka had said in a statement issued post Modi's rally in Amethi, "Inhone Amethi ki dharti pe mere shaheed pita ka apmaan kiya hai, Amethi ki janta is harkat ko kabhi maaf nahi karegi. Inki neech rajniti ka jawaab mere booth ke karyakartaa denge ... Amethi ke ek ek booth se jawaab aayega ..." (He has insulted my martyred father on the soil of Amethi. People of Amethi will never forgive him for this act. Workers in Amethi will reply to his low-level politics. They will reply from each of the booths).

Rahul Gandhi, AICC president, criticized Modi on the basis of money being used by the BJP in its election campaign. "You find Modi's publicity everywhere. Switch on TV or radio or walk on the roads its Modi, Modi everywhere. From where does all this money for publicity come?" questioned Rahul Gandhi, adding that this was stolen from the citizens and given to criminals including Nirav Modi and Vijay Mallya.

When asked about providing employment, the Congress chief said, "Wherever potato is grown, a chips factory is be set up. Wherever tomato is grown, a tomato ketchup factory will exist. We are creating a network of food processing industries in Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, and Rajasthan. Farmers will sell their produce directly to the factories."

Jyotiraditya Scindia, who is the Congress general secretary and west UP incharge, said that the phase for a "change" has come. While Modi has time to visit 84 countries across the globe, he has no time for the people of his own country; he added that Tas he took a dig at Modi's foreign trips.