Priyanka Gandhi Impresses with Her First Parliamentary Speech in Lok Sabha
Gopendra Nath Bhatt
After many years, a glimpse of the late Prime Minister Indira Gandhi was seen in the Lok Sabha. During the discussion on the '75 years of glorious journey of the Indian Constitution,' Priyanka Gandhi, who won the election from Wayanad in Kerala, made her debut speech in the Lok Sabha on Friday. Her speech left a strong impression on everyone.
Congress General Secretary Priyanka Gandhi gave a powerful speech in the Lok Sabha on Friday, raising several issues that her brother and Leader of the Opposition, Rahul Gandhi, has long addressed. Priyanka remarked that members of the ruling party often talk about the past—about what Nehru did and similar issues. "Talk about the present," she said. "Tell the country what you're doing now, what your responsibilities are. Is all responsibility on Jawaharlal Nehru?" She also pointed out that when the discussion turns to political justice, the ruling party members bring up 1975. Priyanka challenged them, saying, "Learn from it, apologize for your mistakes, and conduct elections through the ballot. Let the truth come out." She also criticized the government for toppling elected state governments with money and influence, mentioning the example of Maharashtra, Goa, and Himachal Pradesh. She stated that the people of India know about the “washing machine” that cleans up those who change sides.
Priyanka Gandhi also spoke about the Constitution's violation, caste-based census, the Manipur violence, the Unnao rape case, and the incidents in Agra and Sambhal. She gave a nod to the agenda of Rahul Gandhi by discussing issues related to businessman Gautam Adani. Political experts believe that her speech was just the beginning, and Priyanka will continue attacking the NDA government on similar issues in the future. Priyanka, though not new to politics, had been actively involved in her mother Sonia Gandhi's and her brother's election campaigns. However, this time, she contested the Lok Sabha by-election and won a significant victory in Wayanad, a seat previously held by Rahul Gandhi.
During her first speech, Priyanka Gandhi criticized the BJP on issues related to the Constitution and Adani. She accused the government of spreading fear and sarcastically remarked that the Prime Minister might not have realized that the Constitution is not the "Constitution of the Sangh." Priyanka emphasized that the Constitution has always been a safeguard for the country, protecting citizens' rights and freedoms. She criticized the government for trying to break this safeguard through measures like lateral entry and privatization, which weaken reservation policies. She also asserted that if the results of the Lok Sabha elections had been different, the ruling party might have been willing to change the Constitution. She expressed that the public's trust in the Constitution is strong and that any attempts to change it would not succeed.
Similar to her brother, Priyanka Gandhi used her first speech to highlight the growing perception that the government is focused on benefiting one individual, referring to Adani. She claimed that resources like ports, airports, roads, and railways were being handed over to one person. She further criticized the government for enacting laws that favor industrialists, such as the farm laws, while ordinary citizens suffer from issues like the shortage of DAP fertilizers and struggling farmers in Himachal.
Priyanka also addressed the Manipur violence, recalling that Rahul Gandhi had visited the region and met the victims. She stated that while the Prime Minister speaks of the Constitution in the House, he remains indifferent when it comes to the calls for justice in incidents like the ones in Sambhal, Hathras, and Manipur. She also took a dig at PM Modi, saying that the "king" of today knows how to change his appearance but lacks the courage to meet the public or listen to criticism.
She emphasized that the freedom struggle was deeply democratic, involving people from all walks of life. She recalled that the voices of all those who fought for independence came together to form the foundation of the Indian Constitution. Priyanka stressed that the Constitution is not just a document but a beacon of justice and hope for every citizen. She remarked that the Constitution empowered the people of India to demand justice and to hold the government accountable.
Priyanka praised the achievements of past Congress governments, mentioning policies like the nationalization of banks and the introduction of fundamental rights such as the right to education, employment, and food. She highlighted the role of women in strengthening the government and criticized the delay in implementing the Nari Shakti Act.
She concluded by criticizing the divisive policies of the current government, asserting that the people of India still have love and unity in their hearts. She warned that such divisive politics endangers the country's unity, which is guaranteed by the Constitution. Priyanka added that in the past, people were not afraid to speak the truth, but today, there is a climate of fear, with the government silencing journalists and opposition leaders, similar to the atmosphere during British rule.
Political analysts have noted that Priyanka Gandhi's speech was quite impactful, with her brother Rahul Gandhi even stating that it was far better than his own first speech in Parliament. However, some experts believe her speech could have been sharper, particularly in addressing the Prime Minister's expected response during the two-day discussion. They felt that issues such as the Emergency imposed by Indira Gandhi and the imposition of President's Rule in opposition-ruled states were not countered effectively.
It remains to be seen how Rahul Gandhi, Mallikarjun Kharge, and other opposition leaders in the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha continue to challenge the government, and how successfully Prime Minister Modi counters their attacks.
साभार :
© CopyRight Pressnote.in | A Avid Web Solutions Venture.