Congress leader and party’s candidate for Wayanad Lok Sabha bypolls, Priyanka Gandhi Vadra kicked off her second phase of campaign in the constituency on Monday, launching a scathing attack on the BJP-led central government.
Priyanka alleged that the Constitutional values are constantly being subverted under the current regime at the Centre and said it was the right time to stand for democracy and truth.
"If there is a time to stand up for democracy for the right and the truth, it is now. My expectations are not any lakh number of votes, but it is to look within your heart," she said, addressing a corner meeting in Meenangadi.
The Congress leader raked up the Manipur violence and said "planned" attacks are taking place against minority communities in the country.
"You know the BJP government at the Centre is spreading fear, anger, and distress among the community. You have seen the attack on minorities. You have seen the attacks in Manipur. You have seen again and again anger, the spread of hatred, and fear concerted in a planned fashion," she alleged.
Priyanka had filed her nomination papers on October 22 and had addressed a rally in Kalpetta, the district headquarters. Her mother and former party president Sonia Gandhi, party chief Mallikarjun Kharge, and her brother Rahul Gandhi had accompanied her as she filed her nominations.
Addressing a gathering on Monday, Priyanka recalled an incident that occurred when she had come to the constituency for the first time.
"A few days ago, when I had come to file my nomination for the UDF candidate, I had stopped my car and talked to one of the people who told me that his mother wanted to meet me but wasn't well. I had gone to the house of the person and met his mother. She hugged me as if I were her child and hugged me like my mother. That is how Wayanad makes me feel like I already have a mother," she was quoted as saying by ANI.
Wayanad goes to the polls on November 13, and the votes will be counted on November 23. The bypoll was necessitated in this Kerala constituency after Rahul Gandhi vacated the seat and to retain Raebareli, a traditional seat of the Gandhi family.