'Rahul for Rae Bareli' in Gandhi family stronghold

Sister Priyanka, who has been spearheading campaigns, promises to do away with GST on education as well as scrap Agniveer scheme

- PREETHA NAIR

IT is 12:45 pm and Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra's 'nukkad sabha' at Rae Bareli's Chaudah roundabout is already running behind schedule. However, the swelling crowd is unmindful of the harsh sun and patiently waits for the leader.

As Priyanka Gandhi's car makes its way through the crowd, posters with 'Rahul for Rae Bareli' written on them go up in the air amid slogans. On the stage, Priyanka speaks about how the Nehru-Gandhi family nurtured Rae Bareli for decades and the failure of the Modi government to address the burning issues of unemployment and inflation, among others.

"They accuse us of being against the Hindu religion. We follow Mahatma Gandhi's ideal who had chanted 'Hey Ram' before dying," she said. "Prime Minister Narendra Modi was wrong in accusing it (Congress) of being anti-religion." Priyanka alleged that while the BJP claims to be a "champion of Hindu religion," the condition of the state-run cowsheds in Uttar Pradesh remains pitiable.

She highlighted the strong bond the Gandhi family has with the constituency since the days of Indira Gandhi and Rajiv Gandhi.

"Bhaiya (Rahul Gandhi) will follow the tradition after winning the election," she said.

Priyanka accused the Modi government of trying to take credit for free ration scheme by putting his photograph on the papers related to the scheme, saying it was the Congress-led UPA government that brought the Right to Food Act.