Congress general secretary and party’s UP in-charge Priyanka Gandhi Vadra exhorted the people of the state to take a lesson from the farmers on how they fought unitedly, forcing the Central government to bow before them.
"Like the farmers, you should be united to get your rights and make the people’s representatives more responsible for their works. The farmers' agitation against the three farm laws has added a new dimension to people’s rights in the country. It is, however, unfortunate that Prime Minister Narendra Modi has refused to take cognisance of the deaths of over 700 farmers during the protest and has yet to take action against Minister of State for Home Ajay Mishra Teni, who conspired in the killing of farmers in Lakhimpur Kheri. People should teach this government a lesson for ignoring them and the vote should be entirely cast on development rather than on caste or communal basis. The people should have the power in their own hand then only their rights will be protected and the required development in their area will be done," Priyanka said while speaking at a ‘Pratigya Rally’ attended by a huge crowd in Moradabad on Thursday.
Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel and senior UP Congress leaders were also present in the rally at Moradabad, which happens to be the native place of Priyanka Vadra’s husband and in-laws.
The top Congress leader said that sugarcane farmers were yet to get Rs 4,000 crore against their dues.
"The prime minister can purchase a new aircraft for Rs 8,000 crore and a new Parliament can be constructed at a cost of Rs 24,000 crore, but Rs 4,000 crore of the farmers cannot be paid by this Bharatiya Janata Party government," she said.
Priyanka Vadra promised that if the Congress came to power in Uttar Pradesh then the minimum support price (MSP) of paddy and wheat would be hiked to Rs 2,500 per quintal and Rs 400 per quintal for sugarcane. She also announced full loan waiver for farmers and reduction of their power bills by 50 per cent. She also appealed to women to come to the forefront and engage in politics in order to save the nation.
"Only women can give honest and efficient governance. The Congress has already announced to give 40 per cent seats to women candidates besides smartphones and scooty to girl students," she added.