Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi sharply criticized the Central government, asserting that the policies under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership have led to a situation reminiscent of the “British Raj-like conditions”, where only billionaires benefit.
“British Raj-like conditions are prevalent in the country. The policies of the Modi government are not being made keeping in mind the poor but have been made to benefit the billionaires. International reports show that today the condition of inequality in India is worse than British rule,” Priyanka Gandhi said on Tuesday during her speech to Congress workers in the Rae Bareli constituency in Uttar Pradesh, where her brother and Congress leader Rahul Gandhi is running for office.
“All the institutions which strengthen democracy are being weakened, be it media or Parliament. Mahatma Gandhi, Pandit Nehru had fought against the British to strengthen the rights of the people, little did they know that a day would come in independent India when the government would be bent upon depriving the people of their rights,” she added.
She accused that there are attempts underway to alter the Constitution, which incorporates provisions such as reservation that have positively impacted the lives of millions. She lamented that the country is unfortunate to have someone occupying the Prime Minister’s position whose language, conduct, and deeds reflect a lack of dignity.
“We have always given priority to development and have dreamed of a developed and prosperous Rae Bareli. When we got the opportunity, we created employment and development opportunities in Rae Bareli but the Modi government either closed many of the projects started by us or promoted them in its name,” Priyanka Gandhi said.
The Raebareli constituency is scheduled for elections on May 20. In the 2019 Lok Sabha Elections, Congress leader Sonia Gandhi emerged victorious in the constituency, securing 534,918 votes. Her main contender, Dinesh Pratap Singh, posed a significant challenge, garnering 367,740 votes.
Rahul Gandhi had previously represented the neighboring Amethi constituency in the Lok Sabha from 2004 to 2019, when he was defeated by the BJP’s Smriti Irani.