Priyanka Gandhi says people should vote on conscience, hits out at BJP

MYSURU, CHAMARAJANAGAR: Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi on Tuesday launched a scathing attack on BJP leaders and urged the people of the state to not get influenced by their words, but rather look at the “conscience” of the leaders seeking the votes.

The Congress general secretary made the remarks while addressing a gathering at T Narsipur in Mysuru district. She started her speech by saying “Yellarigoo Namaskara” in Kannada. “The Prime Minister came here and said that the leaders of the opposition want to dig his grave. What kind of talk is this? Every citizen of the country would like the health of the Prime Minister to be good. The people of Karnataka should not vote on the words of any leader, but of their conscience”, She added.

Priyanka Gandhi with Siddaramaih’s son Yathindra and T Narsipur candidate H C Mahadevappa.

Targeting the Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai led-BJP government in the state, Priyanka said, “Last time people elected JD(S) and Congress, but BJP stole the government with the power of money.” Urging the people of the state to vote wisely, Priyanka Gandhi said, “The 40 per cent government ruthlessly looted the public. The Karnataka government has looted Rs 1.5 lakh crore”.

Highlighting the Amul-Nandini row, Priyanka said, “Nandini Milk earlier used to produce 90 lakh litres of milk and milk products, but today only 70 lakh litres of milk is being produced. The government deliberately reduced the production of milk so that Amul milk could be brought to Karnataka”, she alleged.

Priyanka Gandhi also addressed a women’s convention in Hanur.

Priyanka Gandhi later travelled by road from T Narsipur to Hanur in Chamarajanagar district where she interacted with with Girijana-Bedagampana community women. She was accompanied by AICC general secretary Randeep Singh Surjewala.

Addressing the convention, she said she is aware of the struggles of women both at home and outside and their role in raising children. “Realising this, we decided to give Rs 2,000 to the women heads of families and this amount will be directly credited to their bank announts. The scheme is aimed at reducing the burden on women”, she said.

Priyanka also accused the BJP government of trampling upon the rights of women over the last four-and-half years.