Priyanka Gandhi took centre stage in Jabalpur on 12 June, Monday, as the Congress kickstarted its campaign for the 2023 Madhya Pradesh Assembly elections.
Addressing a gathering of around 20,000 people and party workers, Gandhi's major attacks on the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) were over corruption, inflation, and scams.
"Idols are being blown away by the wind. They haven't spared even God," she said, commenting on the alleged corruption in the ambitious Mahakal Lok project which was inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi last year.
She further claimed that Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh's "list of scams is longer than PM Modi's abuses".
"In their (BJP's) 220 months of governance, they have committed 225 scams. Almost every month, there has been a new scam. If you do not put an end to the reign of bribery and scams today, what will happen to your future? The list of scams is so long that it is longer than the list of abuses that Modi has come up with."Priyanka Gandhi
Gandhi's focus on corruption is in line with the party's plan to corner the BJP on cases of alleged corruption and mismanagement in the upcoming state elections, the way it did in the recent Karnataka elections.
As reported by The Quint earlier, sources within the party have revealed that a "charge sheet" – which lists around 400 cases of economic irregularities, misgovernance, and mismanagement by the incumbent BJP government – has been prepared.
While Gandhi's speech was focussed on issues like corruption, inflation, and scams, she performed a prayer on the banks of the Narmada river along with 101 Brahmins for around 20 minutes.
Why is This Launch Significant?
Priyanka Gandhi's campaign launch in Madhya Pradesh marks the first step in the party's campaign for the Assembly elections due later in 2023.
Although the party is seemingly keeping a keen focus on public issues, it is fighting hard to not give the ruling BJP and its sister organisations an opportunity to ramp up religious politics. Talking to The Quint, a senior journalist-turned-political commentator Deepak Tiwari pointed out that the Congress is pulling all its punches to fight the elections on public issues while also countering the BJP’s agenda of religious politics.
“You see how they (Congress) are talking about corruption, unemployment, unfulfilled promises, and simultaneously countering the BJP’s agenda of labelling the Congress an anti-Hindu party."
Another senior journalist, requesting not to be named, said that the Congress is trying to be careful as its leaders are talking about public issues while also ensuring that the religious sentiments of the majority aren’t hurt but rather appeased.
Taking the podium, former chief minister and the state Congress president Kamal Nath said, “Main Hindu hoon lekin bewakoof nahi (I'm a Hindu but I'm not naive)."
“The entire Congress seems to be working in tandem before the elections. While Priyanka Gandhi talked about corruption, she started her speech chanting ‘Har Har Narmade (Hail River Narmada) ’. On the other hand, Kamal Nath talked about public issues and claimed that he couldn't match Shivraj Singh Chouhan's theatrics or promises while he also highlighted his Hindu identity.”
Priyanka Gandhi Guarantees Relief from Inflation, Cheaper Electricity, and Loan Waivers for Farmers
Asserting that the people of Madhya Pradesh had been subjected to years of mistreatment and exploitation, Gandhi reminded the public:
"For the past 18 years, you have been victims of manipulation and financial subjugation. You formed our government last time, but it was torn apart by the BJP through political machinations and monetary influence.”
She expressed concern over "the manipulation of emotions and the tendency to exploit public sentiment".
Emphasising on the importance of their shared values, Gandhi urged the public "not to be swayed by false narratives but to channel their emotions towards making informed choices."
Gandhi also guaranteed five key promises that the party will fulfill if elected to power:
Monthly financial assistance of ₹1500 for women
Accessible gas cylinders priced at ₹500
100 units of free electricity, with an additional 200 units at half rate
Implementation of the old pension scheme to address the concerns of government employees
Fulfillment of the promise to waive farmers' loans
Talking to The Quint, another political commentator Arun Dixit said that the Congress is following the Karnataka plan – and will continue with it.
"The Congress is working on similar lines as Karnataka... They have promised key benefits, they are cornering the BJP on the issue of corruption and scams, and these seem to be working for them again.
However, Dixit also added that the Congress' attempt to pronounce itself as a "pro-Hindu party" will only dent it further.
"The Congress' attempts to not be anti-Hindu party is pushing it away from the idea of a secular party. They are playing right into the hands of the BJP on this front. The Congress can't become the party of Hindus like the BJP has become. The Congress' attempt to be so, will only hurt them."
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