Priyanka Gandhi Launches Campaign with Scathing Critique of BJP, Vows to Defend Constitutional Integrity and Minority Rights" Report:

Baby Chakraborty, KalimNews, October 29, 2024, New Delhi: Congress candidate Priyanka Gandhi Vadra launched her electoral campaign in Wayanad with a forceful critique of the BJP-led central government, accusing it of systematically eroding India’s constitutional values and targeting minorities. In her inaugural rally at Minangadi, Wayanad, she focused her message on the preservation of democracy, equality, and secularism. "Under BJP rule, the foundational values of the Constitution are being persistently undermined," she declared, referencing the violence in Manipur and claiming there is a "deliberate attempt to marginalize minority communities" in the country.

Priyanka’s remarks came during an electrifying speech in which she accused the BJP of sowing “fear, violence, and hatred” among communities to divide and control the nation. She positioned the Congress as the “main soldier” in the fight for democracy, promising that “our fight to safeguard the constitutional structure will persist, as all citizens are equal under our Constitution.” Her words aimed to rally supporters and underscore the Congress party’s commitment to challenging what it perceives as a dangerous departure from India’s democratic values under the BJP administration.

In her remarks, Priyanka Gandhi also took direct aim at Prime Minister Narendra Modi, alleging that central government policies disproportionately benefit a few corporate allies at the expense of the general public. “One policy after another is being tailored to serve the Prime Minister’s close associates, rather than the people of India,” she charged, asserting that such policies need to be immediately halted. The message resonated with the crowd, many of whom voiced strong support for her stance on economic justice and government accountability.

The campaign event was notable not only for Priyanka’s powerful words but also for the Congress party’s unified show of support. She was joined by key figures, including her brother and Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, who represented Wayanad until 2019, her mother Sonia Gandhi, and Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge. Just days earlier, on October 22, Priyanka had formally filed her nomination papers for the upcoming by-election in Wayanad, which is scheduled for November 13. The by-election was called after Rahul Gandhi vacated the seat, choosing to retain his Rae Bareli seat following his dual constituency win in the previous Lok Sabha elections.

Rahul Gandhi’s symbolic presence in Wayanad highlights the seat’s importance to the Congress and underscores the party’s commitment to the people of the region. Rahul had previously cultivated a strong support base in Wayanad, and the Congress is keen to retain the seat as a bastion of opposition to the BJP’s policies in Kerala. The turnout and energy at Priyanka’s campaign event reflected the high stakes of this by-election, with party supporters displaying fervent support through a roadshow in Kalpetta that drew thousands.

Priyanka Gandhi’s debut on the campaign trail in Wayanad has set a combative tone for the upcoming election. Her emphasis on defending constitutional values, securing minority rights, and countering economic policies that she claims favor an elite few highlights the Congress's broader national platform in the face of what they consider rising authoritarianism. Her message also directly appeals to Kerala’s diverse and progressive electorate, who have historically supported leaders advocating for secularism, social justice, and democratic accountability.

With her candidacy now official and her initial rally completed, Priyanka Gandhi’s campaign is expected to intensify, drawing both national and international attention to Wayanad’s by-election. The contest is more than a mere by-election; it has evolved into a critical front in the ideological battle between Congress and BJP over India’s future path, with Priyanka poised to be a powerful advocate for constitutional values and inclusive governance.