Undercurrent of dissatisfaction against Modi government, people are in mood for change… Exclusive interview of Priyanka Gandhi

New Delhi: Congress General Secretary Priyanka Gandhi is seen campaigning across the country. he/she is considered to have played an important role in making Congress’s strategy and implementing it on the ground. There was a lot of debate on the party’s manifesto. Before the last phase of Lok Sabha elections-2024, Priyanka Gandhi spoke to Narendra Nath on many issues including party plans and strategy:Question: You are among the important star campaigners of Congress. What is your prediction regarding the election results?
answer: The public is contesting the elections and the public is going to bring about change.

Question: What difference did you feel in the issues and public mood in the 2019 and 2024 elections?
answer: In this election the public has started to see the reality of the government and the media. The public does not trust what the media is saying. The government’s performance for 10 years is in front. The public is seeing that TV and media are creating a different image of the Modi government, but the reality is that the youth are facing severe unemployment. People are suffering due to inflation. The middle class is being hit by taxes and rising EMIs. This is the reason why the public is alert about their issues in these elections. BJP, which was in power for 10 years, neither listened to the people nor did anything on these issues. The public wanted to hear their issues in the elections, but BJP talked about things like buffalo, mangalsutra, theft of tap water. Congress and INDIA talked about public issues.

Question: What kind of role do you see for yourself in Congress after June 4? A section believes that AAP plays an effective role in creating the party’s narrative and conveying the message to the people.
answer: Whatever role the party decides for me, I will play it with full dedication.

Question: How much impact did Bharat Jodo Yatra have on Rahul Gandhi and the entire Congress?
answer: Rahul Gandhi’s journey was a big movement to connect with the public. There was an effort to go among the people, understand their problems and become their voice. At the same time, spread the message of love, unity and harmony among them in the era of BJP’s divisive politics. The journey infused new energy into the party and Rahul Gandhi. Our focus became more focused that we have to keep raising the issues of the people because the people are suffering a lot. Its biggest role in my mind is that this journey did a great job in highlighting the undercurrent of dissatisfaction among the public. Narendra Modi’s dictatorship had suppressed the voice of the people, it is now resonating across the country.

Question: BJP tries to corner Congress on nationalism and Hindutva. What is your opinion on these two issues?
answer: This word effort irritates me. I don’t need to counter him/her on religion and nationalism. My family members have shed their blood for this country. We do not need to take certificate of patriotism from BJP leaders. Nor will it ever happen. The religion of a leader is to serve the public. We will follow this religion throughout our life. Starting from Lord Ram, every Hindu religious leader and Mahatma has given this lesson. Anyway, BJP’s views on both these subjects are hollow. Making political use of religion for power and spreading division in the society to further one’s own interests is unrighteous. The country is made up of 140 crore people. BJP calls the farmers of the country as terrorists. Youths seeking jobs are lathicharged. Middle class-does not listen to common people. On top of that, the capital of the entire country betrays its 22 friends. She betrays 140 crore people of the country regarding electoral bonds and election promises. Elected governments are toppled with money power. How did BJP, which was harming the countrymen, become nationalist? Religion is a deep feeling for the people of India. People improve their conduct by adopting religion. Make religion a means to determine the moral path. As Gandhiji and Swami Vivekananda did. he/she made religion not an instrument of power but of morality. Look at BJP, their leaders say Modi ji is bigger than God. Modi ji himself has started saying that he/she is an angel.

Question: It was said about India that there is confusion regarding leadership. Do you agree with the presidential form of government?
answer: The coordination in the alliance is very good. All things are being decided with everyone’s consent. My own experience during the elections has been that all parties have shown unity everywhere. This was seen among the workers also. When our Constitution was made, personalities like Bhimrao Ambedkar, Jawaharlal Nehru, Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, Maulana Azad played their role. I think that if he/she did not choose Presidential rule for our country, he/she would definitely have the wisdom to do so. What needs to change today? Because today our Prime Minister feels that all power should be in the hands of one person only? So now should we change our entire working style and constitutional process? I don’t think this is fair.

Question: It is said that Congress is not able to convey its message to the public due to weak communication. This time the promises of Congress reached the people, what was the strategy?
answer: I have already said that this time we are focusing completely on public issues. Media, BJP tried a lot to distract, but our focus is on the problems of the people and the guarantees to solve them. For example, if women are troubled by inflation, then we are directly giving the solution to that problem that a woman from a poor family will get Rs 8500 every month. Will give 10 kg ration, give health insurance up to Rs 25 lakh and waive off education loan.

Question: In the last few years, many old and new leaders left the party. Has this affected the morale of the party?
answer: The politics of opposition and conflict is always difficult. Those who are going to fight are fighting, those who are going to bow down and fear, they are leaving. Yes, the morale of the party falls, but the courage to fight also increases because gradually people emerge who have courage.

Question: Constitution became the biggest issue among the people in this election. How do you view this debate?
answer: The question is deeper and more serious than this. The question is that today the public cannot trust the Prime Minister so much that he/she will not change the Constitution. The Prime Minister has broken and weakened every institution of democracy. This is a very serious problem for our country. he/she himself started talking about changing the Constitution and today, due to public pressure, he/she is denying it everywhere. These things are dangerous for democracy and the country. There is a level of post of Prime Minister. There is a responsibility. Today she has started feeling lighter. Changing the Constitution means that you will weaken the rights and reservations of the people. This is fatal for democracy.

Question: BJP alleged that Mangalsutra will be taken away, Congress will give reservation of backward classes to Muslim community. What will you say on this?
answer: BJP has made these allegations citing our manifesto. I want everyone and BJP to definitely read our manifesto. I challenge the people of BJP that anyone should find these things in our manifesto. It is in our manifesto that we will give Rs 8500 to women every month. 30 lakh posts will be filled. Will give MSP to farmers. But, why is the Prime Minister talking so much about our manifesto? Doesn’t he/she have any manifesto? What is BJP planning for the future of the country? What is there to control unemployment and inflation? They have no thinking at all, that is why they are imagining what is not there in our manifesto and getting the media to discuss it.

Question: The pressure of investigative agencies on the leaders has increased considerably. Does it feel pressured?
answer: The investigating agencies were not impartial today. he/she himself is under pressure. No government employee or officer likes to work under this kind of pressure. Sadly, the agencies which were given the responsibility of stopping crime have today become pawns in the political games and conspiracies of a dictator. As far as the pressure on us is concerned, what can I say? he/she tried very hard. Even my 77-year-old mother was called for questioning, even though everyone knew that her health was fragile. But to be honest, when my husband went for the first time, my children were worried. The second time it was less and then when he/she went again and again, its effect was lost. Both my husband and brother faced all this with great determination. Today personally, my entire family has become stronger, united and courageous because of this attack.

Question: Women voters have emerged as an X-factor in elections these days. What is Congress’s strategy to connect them?
answer: Women’s empowerment is not a question of strategy, it is a question of responsibility, but of vision. Women empowerment is a national need. When I started the campaign to bring women to the center of elections, BJP leaders used to make fun of it. But, I am happy that after our initiative today all the parties are making announcements for women. Women are being discussed. Congress listened to the voices of women across the country. We have said in our manifesto that we will give one lakh rupees annually to a woman from poor families, 50% reservation will be given to women in central jobs, honorarium of Asha-Anganwadi will be increased, hostels will be built for working women. Our governments in Karnataka and Telangana have created models of women empowerment and our focus is on them.

Question: Who do you get along well with among the leaders of all the opposition parties?
answer: These are the best relationships. Personally, I have a good rapport with Mamta Didi. However, I have never talked to him/her on political matters. I have had a good relationship with Lalu Prasad Yadav ji for a long time. I respect him/her.