Priyanka Gandhi Vadra at Panamaram in Wayanad on Monday. (ANI)Kicking off the campaign in Wayanad for her first electoral battle, Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra on Monday took aim at the BJP, saying it is a “great shame that the Centre is not releasing funds” for landslide relief.
The by-election, necessitated by Rahul Gandhi vacating the seat, will be held on November 13 in the backdrop of the devastating landslide that hit Kerala’s Wayanad on July 30 and left 231 people dead and 47 missing.
On Monday, she addressed three corner meetings in Wayanad. “It is a great shame that the Centre is not releasing the funds. What was the point in (Prime Minister) Modi coming to Wayanad and meeting the disaster victims if he cannot release funds,” she said at one meeting.
She said, “The BJP government does not respect the Constitution. It weakens the value of the Constitution every single day. Their strategy is to divide people and remain in power. They want to spread fear and hatred.”
She also accused the ruling party at the Centre of “making a few business people richer”.
She also spoke about Rahul. “My brother has been fighting for the last 10 years for the essence of the nation, for democracy and equality,” she said. “When he took out Bharat Jodo Yatra, I was wondering where he got the courage from. Now, I know he got it from you.”