New Delhi: Amid the ongoing Uttar Pradesh Assembly elections, which saw first phase of polling on February 10, Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra on Friday spoke exclusively to ABP News and replied to all hotbed bed questions such as Congress’ performance in the populous state, party’s election manifesto and more.
While speaking at ABP News’ flagship Ghoshnapatra programme, Priyanka said that people of Uttar Pradesh have tried and tested various political parties, but all they have seen is communalism and caste politics.
“When I meet people, it seems that it is difficult for people to earn their livelihood in the state as inflation has increased so much that the life of the people has become difficult,” the Congress leader said adding that politics in UP has gone to a different track where people’s issues are not addressed.
While talking about Congress’ election manifesto in UP, Priyanka Gandhi said that her party was the first one to announce scooty for women and now every party is doing the same.
Hitting out at the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), the Congress leader said they focus on the past and don’t talk about the future.
Priyanka Gandhi also pointed out that a time frame has been given for some pledges in Congress’ election manifesto and claimed that it will be delivered on time.
When asked about Congress’ chance of winning UP elections, she said “by talking about women and youth, I do not want victory and defeat. Through this, I want to take the state forward.”
While speaking about her statement hitting Akhilesh Yadav that not Samajwadi Party but only Congress is visible on ground, Priyanka said that she told the truth and also pointed out that her statement was not meant to harm anyone.
“I told the truth, I did not harm them (SP) nor did I open a front against anyone,” she said.
Responding to the question of lesser role of women in politics, Congress General Secretary for Western UP said, “This kind of politics will have to be broken. Do women not have the right to come forward in politics and move forward? Today women are being tortured and to end this women should come into politics.”
Explaining her frequent jibe at Yogi Adityanath-led UP government over incidents like Aligarh and Hathras, Priyanka said that law and order is different from their point of view, our point of view is different. She also alleged that a dictatorship is going on in UP, adding that if the administration was right here, there would be facilities for the people.
“In UP, the rule of law is being made arbitrarily. BJP minister’s son crushed six farmers, even after that the minister is on the stage with you, then what is the law and order,” she said in an attack at BJP leader Ajay Misra Teni whose son Ashish recently got bail from a court in the alleged hit and run case.
Phase I of the polling for the Uttar Pradesh assembly elections on Thursday saw 59.87 per cent voting.
The second phase of UP elections will be conducted on February 14, third phase on February 20, fourth phase on February 23, 5th phase on February 27, 6th phase on March 3 and 7th and the 7th and the last phase will be conducted on March 7 Counting of votes will be done on March 10.
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