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Priyanka hits out PM Modi, calls for new brand of politics in UP

VARANASI: AICC general secretary for east UP Priyanka Gandhi on Wednesday took on Prime Minister Narendra Modi on his turf, referring to him as a "dictator".


“People were harassed and abused (during British period). Their voice was not heard, and there was no democracy. The situation is the same today as it was in pre-independence time, only difference is that our 'tanashah' (dictator) is Indian,” said Priyanka, hitting out at Modi without taking his name.



She was addressing party workers in Piplani Katra after offering prayers at Kashi Vishwanath temple. She said that she wanted a new brand of politics in UP in which people would get prominence. “I am reaching out to people through various means to know their problems and agonies so that the foundation of new politics can be laid in UP,” she said.

Showing BJP’s 2014 poll manifesto, she said that Modi had made eight promises for Varanasi in the manifesto, but nothing was done. Making tall promises and doing politics of publicity is very simple and easy, she added.

“Aaj jo ladai hai, khaskar Banaras mein, ise aap samajhiye. Ye ek tarah se nayi azadi ki ladai hai,” (Today’s struggle particularly in Varanasi is a battle of new freedom), she said and called upon party workers to unite and give up all internal infightings to strengthen the party at the grassroot level.

She called upon them to invest their energy in poll campaign.

In her 12-minute speech Priyanka admitted that there are some flaws in the party, which need to be corrected. “But, our strength is our ideology, which built this nation. Congress fought for country’s freedom,” she said and added that there is no place for violence in Congress. “You asked me about Ganga Maa, which is generous to all. Ganga is the cultural identity of the country,” she said.

“The manifesto speaks about women. But, what happened with the women of Banaras Hindu University , their voices were crushed," she said, adding, “I am surprised to know that the parents of girls were made to give in writing that they (girls) would not be allowed to hold demonstration. What does it mean? Is there any difference between men and women in our constitution? Who are they to stop us in raising our voice?"

Earlier, Priyanka went to Kashi Vishwanath temple to offer prayers from Dashashwamedh Ghat. She spent about half-an-hour at the temple. She was accompanied by Congress leaders including Pramod Tiwari, Ajay Rai, Prajanath Sharma, Laliteshpati Tripathi and others.

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