Stepping up her campaign in Himachal Pradesh, Congress general secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra launched a scathing attack on Prime Minister Narendra Modi, accusing him of abandoning the state in its hour of need. Despite claiming Himachal Pradesh to be his ‘home,’ Modi failed to visit or provide financial aid after the devastating rains that struck the state in 2023. Addressing public gatherings in Chamba and Shahpur within the Kangra parliamentary constituency, where former Union Minister Anand Sharma is contesting the polls, Vadra highlighted the Prime Minister’s absence during Himachal Pradesh’s time of crisis. She also criticized the BJP-led Union government’s policies, blaming them for escalating inflation and unemployment. The Agniveer scheme, she pointed out, is a glaring example of this, leaving youth jobless, pensionless, and without adequate financial support or status in case of martyrdom. The Congress, Vadra pledged, would repeal the Agniveer scheme upon coming to power. She unveiled a range of welfare measures that the Congress government intends to implement, including a monthly stipend of ₹8,500 for women, filling 30 lakh vacant government positions, providing 50% reservation for women, and legally guaranteeing minimum support prices for farmers. Vadra urged voters to support the Congress, emphasizing their commitment to ‘double service’ in contrast to the BJP’s ‘double engine’ rhetoric. She lauded the incumbent Congress government in Himachal Pradesh, led by Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu, for its tireless efforts and dedication to serving the people despite facing numerous challenges. She highlighted the restoration of the old pension scheme and the announcement of a ₹1,500 monthly pension for women as examples of the government’s commitment to fulfilling its promises. Vadra asserted that with clear intentions, any government can achieve positive results, as demonstrated by the Congress government’s performance in the state.
Priyanka Gandhi’s Himachal Tirade: Blasts Modi for ‘Abandoning’ State Amidst Disaster
