Katihar: Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra strongly criticised Prime Minister Narendra Modi during her election rallies in Barari and Kadwa assembly constituencies of Bihar. Speaking in support of the Grand Alliance candidates, she accused the Prime Minister of using “undignified” language in his speeches and said such remarks are not appropriate for a person holding the country’s highest office. Referring to Modi’s “katta” (pistol) statement, she said, “I heard Modiji talking about katta, donali, bullet, ransom, and extortion. Does this befit a Prime Minister? The PM has lowered the dignity of his post.”
At a public meeting held at the Bhagwati Temple fair ground in Barari, Priyanka also accused the NDA government of trying to “bribe” women voters by offering Rs 10,000 before the elections. She said that the ruling party was attempting to mislead people with money instead of solving their real problems. “Women are being offered money before elections, but what about the struggles they face every day? What about jobs, education, and healthcare?” she asked. She urged the people of Bihar to vote for change and said the Grand Alliance would bring respect and opportunity to every family.
Priyanka spoke about the contributions of past Congress leaders, saying that Jawaharlal Nehru and the Congress party built major institutions such as IIT, IIM, and AIIMS. She added that when Modi came to power, he turned religion into politics and created divisions between Hindus, Muslims, Sikhs, Christians, Buddhists, and Jains. “My grandmother and father were Prime Ministers, and my mother was the National President of Congress. We travelled from village to village to listen to people, but today, anyone who questions the government is punished. This is not the tradition of India,” she said.
She also reminded the crowd that Bihar has a proud history of courage and leadership. “Mahatma Gandhi began the Satyagraha movement from Champaran because of the high spirit of the people here,” she said. She added that Bihar was once a leader in education, producing many IAS, IPS, and IFS officers, but today, the system is suffering from paper leaks and job shortages. “Government positions remain vacant, farmers are struggling with debt, and women work hard at home and in the fields while their husbands migrate for jobs,” she said. She also pointed out that crimes against women and children from backward and Mahadalit communities have increased, while big industrialists’ debts worth crores have been waived off.
Speaking about her party’s promises, Priyanka Gandhi announced several welfare schemes under the Grand Alliance’s plan. She said that if the alliance forms the government, Rs 2 crore will be given to every assembly constituency for creating local jobs. Gas cylinders will be available for Rs 500, and women will get Rs 2,500 per month. Land will be provided for building houses, and Jeevika Didis will receive Rs 30,000 each. Widows and the elderly will get Rs 1,500 every month, and people with disabilities will receive a pension of Rs 3,000. She also announced free medical treatment up to Rs 25 lakh under a proposed Social Justice Act and said that 30% reservation for Extremely Backward Classes and 20% for Dalits would be given in Panchayati Raj institutions, along with reservations in private education.
The Congress leader further promised to double the number of MNREGA working days and increase daily wages by Rs 300. She said 200 units of electricity would be provided free of cost. Prominent Congress leaders, including MP Tariq Anwar, were present at the event.
Later, while addressing another rally in Kadwa, Priyanka spoke about the “battle to save democracy” and said that Rahul Gandhi’s 8,000-kilometre padayatra was part of that effort. She accused the central government of “coming to power by stealing votes” and said that people in Bihar were forced to migrate from Kashmir to Kanyakumari to find work. She also mentioned that the sand and land mafias are flourishing in the state and that the ruling party is once again trying to buy votes. “After 20 years, the government is again distributing Rs 10,000 to buy votes,” she said.
Priyanka ended her speech by promising that if the Grand Alliance comes to power, a women’s college will be opened in every subdivision, and every assembly constituency will have its own fund for industrial development. She called on voters to reject divisive politics and vote for a government that ensures dignity, opportunity, and justice for all.
