MINCING no words in attacking Prime Minister Narendra Modi for allegedly ”insulting” Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, Congress general secretary Priyanka Gandhi-Vadra on Saturday accused him of backstabbing Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray while waxing eloquent about his father Balasaheb Thackeray in his speeches.
She even challenged the Prime Minister and Union Home Minister Amit Shah to prove her brother Rahul Gandhi was against reservation.
”The speeches that Prime Minister Modi is making these days are really disappointing. There is no truth in whatever he is saying. It seems like he is saying one thing and doing something else…We don’t expect such things from the country’s Prime Minister, Chief Ministers or top leaders. We expect that on the basis of the trust that we have put in him and other leaders, they will speak the truth and they will speak positively. Unfortunately that is not happening…,” Priyanka said at a rally for MVA candidates organised at Gandhi Maidan in Kolhapur city.
All MVA leaders, including Congress Kolhapur MP Shahu Maharaj Chhatrapati and Congress district chief Satej Patil, were present on stage.
The Congress leader accused Prime Minister Narendra Modi of insulting Maharashtra and Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj. ”The sacred land of Maharashtra is being insulted and Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj is also being insulted. His principles are being trampled upon each day,” said Priyanka.
In an oblique reference to the split caused by the BJP in the Shiv Sena that led to the toppling of the Maha Vikas Aghadi government led by Uddhav Thackeray in 2022, the AICC general secretary said Modi invoked Bal Thackeray publicly, but (BJP) back-stabbed his son (Uddhav Thackeray).
“Modi always takes the name of Shiv Sena founder Bal Thackeray. Yes, our ideologies (Congress’s and Shiv Sena’s) were different…Yes, our political thinking was different… But neither Balasaheb Thackeray nor any leader from the Congress and Rahul ji (Gandhi) would tolerate Shivaji Maharaj’s insult,” said Priyanka earlier in the day at a rally in Shirdi.
She accused Mahayuti leaders of insulting Shivaji Maharaj, raking up the collapse of his statue in Sindhudurg district in August. “The statue of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj outside Parliament was removed. The statue installed in Sindhudurg collapsed as corruption took place in its construction. The third statue remained incomplete for seven years…What is the point of taking the name of the legendary king if you want to insult that person?” she asked.
“The Prime Minister comes to the stage, takes the name of Balasaheb Thackeray…He takes the name of Balsaheb Thackeray and when the statue of Shivaji Maharaj is being made, he does not make the effort to complete the statue,” said Priyanka, referring to the proposed memorial for the warrior kinf off the Mumbai sea. “All these leaders, including Modi ji, take his (Shivaji Maharaj’s) name, but they do not respect him,” she alleged.
Decrying the Prime Minister for allegedly stating that her brother and Congress leader Rahul Gandhi was against reservation, Priyanka said, “I saw the Prime Minister’s speech in Mumbai. He said Rahul Gandhi is against reservation and Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru was against reservation. Pandit Nehru was the one who started reservation. Rahul Gandhi walked for 4000km for ‘nyay’ (justice), first from Kanyakumari to Kashmir and then from Manipur to Mumbai. Whereever he went, he said that there should be a caste census and that the reservation cap of 50 per cent should be removed. Does PM Modi think that the people of the country are not watching this and you can say whatever you want from the dias ?”
The Congress leader said the people elected the government of Maharashtra and the Prime Minister stole the same government through money-power. ”How dare can you (PM) speak about corruption ? You purchased Maharashtra government…Through money-power, he (PM) stole the government elected by the people. And you (PM) talk of Constitution?”
Challenging Prime Minister Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah to prove that Rahul Gandhi was against reservation, Priyanka said, ”They should stand on stage and state that they will conduct the caste census and remove 50 per cent cap on reservation…they lie about my brother stating he is against reservation.”
Taking a dig at the BJP in general, and the Mahayuti’s Ladki Bahin Yojana in particular, Priyanka said, “Inflation has become uncontrollable, unemployment is soaring and farmers are comitting suicide every day…People do not have money to purchase essential commodities, neither can they afford medical treatment. Modji brings in Ladki Bahin Yojana and gives Rs 1500 to women. But does anyone ask him how much money he takes from people ?,” she said.
Urging the voters not to remain silent, Gandhi said,”Maharashtra has always shown the direction to the nation. It’s icons have been a source of inspiration to the nation. Therefore, you should not remain silent.”
The Congress general secretary said women will get Rs 3000 assistance every month if the MVA comes to power. ”We will conduct a caste-based census, we will remove the cap on reservation. We will ensure medical insurance up to Rs 25 lakh and farmers will get loan waiver up to Rs 3 lakh. Youth will get Rs 4000 stipend every month…ensure the victory of MVA candidates,” she said.