“Kab tak aap log bardasht karenge, 22 saal ho gaye. Sirf dharm ki rajniti aur jaati ki rajniti — koi vikas ki baat karta hi nahin (How long will you people tolerate it, it’s been 22 years. There’s only the politics of religion and caste, no one talks about development),” she said to thunderous applause.
Ms Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, campaigning in Balbhadrapur area in Amethi on Friday, caught the pulse of the people when she quipped, “Leaders come to you only during elections. In fact, even I come here during elections.” The crowd burst into laughter and so did she.
Ms Vadra asked the people to exercise their franchise for change in a state where politics over the last 22 years has become totally “religion- and caste-based”.
She added, “At least the Congress legislators do not harass you, they do not demand money from you and do not forcibly take away your land. Thankfully, they do not murder people either. Politics here has deteriorated to such an extent that when parties introduce their candidates to you, they are forced to clarify that they have not committed crimes like murder and land-grabbing. Is this what politics has come to? This is the time to change your future and your state and apply your mind before you cast your vote.”