Congress General Secretary Priyanka Gandhi on Monday kickstarted the party’s election campaign for the forthcoming Madhya Pradesh Assembly elections by announcing a series of incentives similar to those implemented in Karnataka.
Buoyed by the successes in Karnataka and Himachal Pradesh Assembly polls, Priyanka Gandhi said if the Congress comes to power in Madhya Pradesh, it will prioritise the welfare of women by providing them with Rs 1,500 per month, offering LPG cylinders for Rs 500, granting 100 units of free electricity, implementing the old pension scheme, and waiving off farm loans.
While addressing a rally in Jabalpur, she highlighted the achievements of Congress Governments in Rajasthan, Himachal Pradesh, and Chhattisgarh, mentioning the fulfillment of key promises made during their respective election campaigns. Priyanka Gandhi underscored the importance of replicating these successful initiatives in Madhya Pradesh.
Earlier in the day, Priyanka Gandhi paid homage to the Narmada River, revered as the lifeline of Madhya Pradesh, performing prayers at Gwarighat in Jabalpur. She was accompanied by Madhya Pradesh Congress President Kamal Nath, party General Secretary in-charge of the state JP Agrawal, and Rajya Sabha MP Vivek Tankha.
Priyanka Gandhi took the opportunity to criticize the incumbent Shivraj Singh Chouhan government, accusing it of corruption and failure to generate employment opportunities. She pointed to alleged irregularities in the Vyapam scam, ration distribution, mining activities, e-tenders, and the management of the COVID-19 crisis.
According to her, these incidents represent only a fraction of the 225 “scams” that have occurred during the Bharatiya Janata Party’s 220-month rule in the state. Priyanka Gandhi also raised concerns over the government’s response to the recent damage inflicted on idols in Ujjain’s Mahakal Lok corridor, suggesting a lack of proper oversight. Mocking the BJP’s claims of a “double-engine government” that fosters development, Priyanka Gandhi stated, “We have witnessed numerous double and triple-engine governments, but the people of Himachal Pradesh and Karnataka have given a resounding response in the elections.”
The term “double-engine Government” refers to the BJP’s assertion that having the party in power at both the State and central levels leads to effective governance and progress.