Priyanka Gandhi launches ‘silent attack’ on Yogi govt over COVID mismanagement, ‘jungle raj’ in UP

On the first day of her three-day visit to poll-bound Uttar Pradesh, Congress general secretary Priyanka Gandhi launched a “silent attack” on the Yogi government over its mishandling of the COVID disaster and failure to check increasing crime against women in the state.

Priyanka staged a silent protest near Gandhi statue in a well-known park in Lucknow and showed a handwritten note to the police which read: “There was COVID in the time of Panchayat polls also”.

The UP Police wanted her to call off her protest citing COVID norms.

“Woman are not safe in the state. Priyankaji is sitting on a maun vrat (silent protest) at the feet of Mahatma Gandhi for ending this jungle raj and to uproot this dictatorial government,” said state Congress president Ajay Kumar Lallu.

Congress legislature party leader Aradhana Misra alleged widespread irregularities during the recent panchayat polls held in the state, especially flagging “the treatment given to women”.

“The party national general secretary is sitting on a maun vrat against the sad state of affairs in the state,” Misra said.

As Priyanka moved through the roads of the city, Congress workers warmly welcomed her, showering flower petals on her at various places.

Ashok Singh, Convenor of Media and Communication Department of Uttar Pradesh Congress, said Priyanka Gandhi reached Hazratganj via Alambagh, Charbagh and Bapu Bhawan.

Priyanka Gandhi is all set to revive the grand old party to a position of strength in the politically-crucial state. She will be meeting party leaders, farmers and unemployed youth over the next two days.

She will also meet the block Congress presidents of Amethi and Rae Bareli on Saturday, the second day of her tour, and hold a meeting with the office-bearers of “Berozgar Manch”, a body representing the unemployed.

She will also hold a meeting with former MPs, ex-MLAs, former district and city presidents and former heads of frontal organisations and departments and members of zila panchayats and block heads.