Congress MP from Wayanad Priyanka Gandhi Vadra’s debut speech in the Lok Sabha has unintentionally put her own party’s government in Himachal Pradesh on the backfoot.
Priyanka began her speech by targeting the BJP, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Gautam Adani, while also raising issues like the Unnao rape case and the Sambhal violence. However, while targeting industrialist Gautam Adani and the BJP during a debate, Priyanka mentioned the plight of apple farmers in Himachal, claiming laws in the state were being “framed to favour big industrialists over small farmers”.
Her comment drew immediate ridicule from BJP MPs, who reminded her that Himachal was governed by her own party Congress. Suresh Kashyap, BJP MP from Shimla, seized on the statement to criticise the Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu-led government, alleging its failure to deliver on promises made during the elections.
BJP alleges failure to deliver on promises
Kashyap accused Priyanka of inadvertently exposing the Congress government’s inefficiency. He highlighted unfulfilled promises such as providing one lakh government jobs, Rs. 1,500 monthly financial assistance for women, and empowering farmers to set apple prices.
Further, Kashyap pointed out Priyanka’s absence from key state celebrations, suggesting a disconnect between her and the Congress government in Himachal. “Even the Congress high command seems to acknowledge the failure of the Sukhu administration,” he remarked.
BJP amplifies Priyanka’s comments through social media
The BJP amplified Priyanka’s comments through social media, sharing clips of her speech to underscore what they called her lack of awareness about her party’s governance. The incident has left the Congress in a defensive position, with critics questioning its accountability in Himachal Pradesh.
This marks another political setback for the Sukhu government, which has already faced criticism over delayed welfare schemes. Priyanka’s statement, intended to attack the BJP, has ironically opened a fresh debate on Congress’s governance in the state.
Priyanka Gandhi said, ‘See all the laws made in Himachal today. All of them are made for big industrialists. The small apple farmers of Himachal are crying because everything is being changed for one person.’ As soon as Priyanka said this, the BJP MPs started making fun of her in the House and started thumping the table. Some BJP MPs were also heard talking from behind. Meanwhile, Priyanka Gandhi retorted and said, ‘All the cold storages have been given to Adani not by the Congress but by your government (BJP)’.”
