Priyanka defends Nehru, says govt using Vande Mataram for electoral politics

Congress MP Priyanka Gandhi Vadra on Monday launched a pointed attack on the government during a Lok Sabha discussion marking 150 years of the national song Vande Mataram, accusing the BJP of committing a “big sin” by fuelling controversy around an issue she said has long united Indians.

- OUR CORRESPONDENT

She alleged that the Centre pushed for the debate with an eye on the upcoming West Bengal assembly elections and to shift focus from pressing public concerns.

Speaking during the daylong discussion, Priyanka Gandhi criticised Prime Minister Narendra Modi directly, stating that “he is not the prime minister he used to be as his self-confidence is decreasing and his policies are weakening the country”.

She argued that the debate had been designed to “divert attention” from unemployment, rising prices and what she described as the government' failure to respond to the struggles of young people, women and marginalised communities.

"Whatever complaints you have against Jawaharlal Nehru, whatever mistakes you think he made, if you want to hurl abuses, please make a list of that too... 999 insults, 9,999 insults... make a list, and then we will fix a time," she said. Drawing attention to the 10-hour discussion held on Monday, she added that the Congress would agree to similar sessions for as long as required. "Let's close the chapter for once and all. After that, let’s talk about today’s issues, price rise and unemployment,” she said.