Seeking to corner Narendra Modi, Priyanka Gandhi today raked up the “snoopgate” controversy surrounding him and questioned his credentials of talking about empowering women.
Campaigning for her mother and Congress President Sonia Gandhi in this constituency of Uttar Pradesh, she asked the electorate not to vote for a person who believes in concentrating all powers with himself and exhorted them to reject divisive politics.
Taking on Modi without mentioning his name, she said, “If you want to empower women, how will you do that? You empower us by listening to phone conversations in closed rooms?”
She was clearly referring to the alleged snooping of a woman in Gujarat ostensibly on orders from Modi.
“If there are leaders who are disrespecting women, throw them out of your homes,” the Congress’ star campaigner told gathering here.
Asserting that empowerment is a right of women, she said nobody should think that it was some kind of favour towards the fair sex which comprises half the population.
“If we talk about women empowerment, we need to recognise the strength of a woman, we need to talk genuinely about women empowerment, without being condescending towards women,” she said.
She emphasised that women, besides being mother, daughter, wife and sister, had an independent identity which needs to be respected.
Accusing the BJP of double standard on the issue of women empowerment, Priyanka said if they are concerned about it, then they should empower them by giving reservation.
“But what have you been doing for us? This is a big issue before the voters in this election. What kind of politics are doing? Is this a constructive one in strengthening the nation,” she asked.
Earlier in the day, Priyanka asked voters to reject leaders who seek to concentrate all powers with themselves.
She asked, “If all power is concentrated in the hands of one person, is it a good thing? Or should people have power?”
A day after breaking her silence on the continued “political” attacks on her husband Robert Vadra, she maintained that personal attacks should be avoided in electioneering and focus should be on real issues affecting the people.
“These days you can hear discussion on many things on TV. Personal attacks are being carried out. But this is not politics. This is being done to mislead people. Discussions should be done on real issues. What are the problems of people? Discussions should be held on these issues.”
Taking on the BJP, she said they “spread hatred” while Congress promises development.
“These elections are about unity and strengthening the identity of India. When you go to vote then think what type of politics you want...the divisive one, which spreads communalism or the one which takes everyone together,” she said.
Addressing a corner meeting at Sijaur in Unchahar Assembly seat in the Parliamentary constituency, Priyanka said that by implementing the Right to Information, Congress showed how corruption could be ended.
“Opposition parties talk about ending corruption, but don’t say how. They talk in the air. Congress showed them the way by implementing RTI. Congress stopped corruption by implementing RTI,” she said.
“People come amongst you to campaign, you must ask them what they were doing for development. What they have done for you. They come, deliver speech, but don’t tell what they will do for you,” she said.