Centre can build new Parliament but can't pay employees: Priyanka Gandhi

In a bid to connect with the masses, Congress general secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra on Wednesday introduced herself as the daughter and granddaughter of martyrs in her party’s election rally in Ardawata, Jhunjhunu, in Rajasthan.

Addressing the gathering in a region where many come from a a defence services background, Priyanka spoke about her late grandmother Indira Gandhi and her late father Rajiv Gandhi, and referred to their martyrdom. “My grandmother used to say whenever you are confused, you should go to the public, they will guide you,” she said. “I am also a martyr's daughter. I am the granddaughter of a martyr. I know the value of making sacrifices for the country,”

She also said, “If the Congress government comes to power again, the woman head of every family in Rajasthan will be given Rs 10,000 every year in two or three installments. Also, LPG cylinders will be given to 1.05 crore families at a price of Rs 500 each. Currently, 76 lakh families are getting cylinders at Rs 500.”

Priyanka also attacked the BJP government at the Centre and said it had no vision and has been unable to generate employment. “Public sector companies used to generate employment, but this government sold them to its big industrialist friends. If we had given it to all the industrialists, there would have been no problem, it would have increased employment, but this government gave it to a few chosen people. They were also going to hand over farming to their friends,” she said.

Priyanka also raised a demand to hold debates on a single platform. “All sides should debate on one platform. When elections come, leaders come and give speeches. Sometimes I feel that all leaders give the same speech. We blame them, they blame us. It is better to hold a debate on a single platform,” said Priyanka.

She further said it was the Congress government which first brought reservation for women in the country. “The words of the Modi government are hollow. They talk about women's reservation. The Congress was the first to bring women’s reservation by giving a quota in panchayats. They brought the law. However, in the present circumstances, there is no idea when reservation will be available,” she said.

She also spoke on the old pension scheme (OPS) and said “the Congress promised the old pension scheme, but the BJP is not ready for it”.

Without naming Prime Minister Narendra Modi, she said, “He (bought two airplanes for himself worth Rs 16,000 crore. They (Central government) built a new Parliament building, which was not needed, but they do not have money to pay employees.”