Priyanka Gandhi Vadra responds to PM Modi's wealth redistribution claims

Bengaluru: Priyanka Gandhi Vadra dismissed Prime Minister Narendra Modi's recent remarks suggesting the Congress party intended to take away personal wealth, questioning the validity of such claims during the Congress's 50-year tenure.

Vadra highlighted the sacrifices made by her family for the nation, including the contribution of her mother's mangalsutra during a time of need.

Addressing an audience in Bengaluru, Vadra emphasized the prevalent discourse on television, noting a shift from discussions on welfare and development to what she termed as "crazy talk" and unreasonable demands.

"The Prime Minister says they will cross 400 seats and change the constitution... sometimes he says he is being abused, or talks about religion. You are among the most qualified cities in the world... do you deserve this?" she questioned.

The political controversy arose following PM Modi's comments at a rally in Rajasthan, alleging the Congress manifesto aimed to redistribute wealth, including gold from mothers and sisters. He had remarked, "They won't even spare your mangalsutra."

In response, Vadra countered, "He says the Congress wants to take away your gold, your mangalsutra. The country has been independent for 70 years. The Congress ruled for 50 years. Has anyone robbed you of your gold or your mangalsutra? When the war was on, Indira Gandhi gave her gold to the country. My mother's mangalsutra was sacrificed for this country."

PM Modi later defended his comments, suggesting they had "revealed some truths" that had "scared" the Congress. He also referenced an incident in Karnataka, insinuating that listening to Hanuman Chalisa had become a crime under Congress rule.

Vadra further questioned PM Modi's understanding of the significance of the mangalsutra, referencing past events. "If Modi ji had understood the importance of 'Mangalsutra', he would not have said such things. When demonetisation happened, he took away the savings of women. During the farmers' protest, 600 farmers lost their lives. Did Modi-ji think about the 'Mangalsutra' of those widows?" she asked.

She also criticized PM Modi's silence on issues concerning women, saying, "When a woman was paraded naked in Manipur, Modi ji was silent, he did not say anything. Did he think about her 'mangalsutra'? Today for the votes, he is saying such things to women, scaring them so that they vote out of fear. He should be ashamed."