Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh Yogi Adityanath took a swipe at Congress leader and Wayanad MP Priyanka Gandhi Vadra during the Winter Session of the state Assembly, criticising her for carrying a bag with Palestine written on it. He contrasted her action with the State government's efforts to send skilled youth from Uttar Pradesh to Israel for work.

"Yesterday, a Congress leader was seen roaming around with a Palestine bag, while we are sending the youth of Uttar Pradesh to Israel," CM Yogi remarked. He highlighted that over 5,600 youths from the state have gone to Israel for construction work, earning a monthly salary of Rs 1.5 Lakh along with free accommodation and food. He added that the Israeli ambassador had praised the skills of UP's youth and expressed interest in hiring more workers from the state.

The CM underscored the government's commitment to skill development, stating that more than 12 lakh youths in Uttar Pradesh have been trained under various programs.

The controversy erupted after Priyanka Gandhi Vadra was seen in Parliament on Monday carrying the bag. Responding to the criticism, she dismissed the remarks as patriarchal. "Who is going to decide what clothes I wear now? That's typical patriarchy. I will wear what I want," she told reporters.

The Bharatiya Janata Party's (BJP) criticism gained traction as leaders such as Rajya Sabha MP Dinesh Sharma accused the Gandhi family of promoting foreign thinking. Union Minister of State Banwari Lal Verma added, "Priyanka Gandhi came with a Palestine bag; she should carry an India bag instead."

Meanwhile, opposition leaders have rallied behind Priyanka Gandhi, defending her against what they termed an unnecessary controversy fueled by political motives.