BJP is trying to weaken democracy: Priyanka

Surat: Congress general secretary Priyanka Gandhi on Saturday launched a scathing attack on the BJP-led NDA government over inflation and unemployment and alleged that that the party will change the Constitution if it comes to power.

She was addressing a public rally at Dharampur in Valsad district. Vansda MLA Anant Patel is the Congress candidate from Valsad Lok Sabha constituency.

“Many BJP leaders are saying they will change the Constitution. But Modiji is denying it. First, they will always deny what they want to do. But after coming to power, they will implement it. They want to change the Constitution to weaken the common people and deprive them of their rights,” Gandhi said.

She said the Congress's manifesto addresses the problems faced by the tribal population. Their party will bring an MGNREGA-like scheme for urban areas where families will get 100 days of guaranteed work, she said.

She said that the Congress is committed to filling about 30 lakh vacancies in government jobs, providing subsidised diesel to fishermen, taking minimum wage to Rs 400, working out “sub-plans” for Scheduled Tribes (STs) and Scheduled Castes (SCs), a special budget for tribals and declaring tribal-dominated areas as scheduled areas.

Accusing the BJP of failing to curb inflation, she described Modi as ‘mehengai man.’

“Modiji is portrayed as a big leader. On the other hand, see how people are struggling. People are unemployed and the unemployment rate is the highest ever in the country,” she said.Talking about GST, she said, “Farmers have to pay GST on all farming material. Farmers are forced to commit suicide for small loans but for some billionaires, Rs 16 lakh-crore has been written off.”

She also took on the BJP government over women’s security and ignoring the protests by Olympic medalists, turning a blind eye to the Hathras and Unnao gangrape crimes.

On electoral bonds, she alleged. , “They came up with a scheme of political donation. The BJP raided many people and took funds. They have accepted funds from those involved in the bridge collapse, from the makers of Corona vaccine.

“People fear telling him anything. How would he know what problems people are facing? When I was young, I used to be with Indiraji and Rajivji. People of Amethi would scold them for roads, but they did not take offence. They were assured of roads,” she claimed.

She, however, praised Atal Bihari Vajpayee as a ‘sabhya insaan (civilized person).