HYDERABAD
In an interview during her campaign trail in Telangana, amidst addressing public rallies, Congress general secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra shared her insights into the party’s election strategies and responded to allegations levelled against the party.
She emphasised that the Congress’ primary focus in the Telangana Assembly elections revolved around combating corruption. She alleged that Telangana Chief Minister K. Chandrashekar Rao’s tenure was marred by corruption with no substantial development evident over the past decade in the state.
When questioned about the Congress agenda for Telangana, she reiterated that the foremost issue for the party remained the rampant corruption prevalent in the region. She underscored the party’s commitment to address this concern as their primary electoral platform.
Regarding the relentless targeting of Rahul Gandhi and the Congress Party by AIMIM leader Asaduddin Owaisi, the Congress general secretary wondered what Owaisi’s motives were. She also emphasised on Rahul’s extensive efforts towards national unity. Edited excerpts:
Q: Ma’am, what are the issues for Congress in Telangana?
A: Unemployment, inflation, corruption are the biggest issues.
Q: Asaduddin Owaisi is repeatedly targeting Rahul Gandhi. What do you have to say about that?
A: Ask him. Rahul is the person who has travelled from Kashmir to Kanyakumari for the unity of India. So, if Owaisi doesn’t want to help BJP and RSS, why does he do this? He (Owaisi) is here just to assist them. It’s quite clear. Look, they are contesting 40-50 seats in different states. And here, they are contesting on 9 seats. And their entire attack is on Congress here. So, you tell me.
Q: BJP says that abusive language is being used by the Congress party.
A: BJP cannot accuse us of that because BJP uses abusive language from morning till night. All their leaders speak in such a manner. We keep saying repeatedly that the election should be fought on public issues. In my speech, which abusive word did you hear? I only raised public issues. I said their solutions should be there. And a government should come which understands that the public is paramount in democracy.