"He would bow to them and say...": Priyanka invokes father to take veiled dig at PM Modi over Rahul remark

Datia (Madhya Pradesh) [India], November 15 : Addressing a public rally in election-bound Madhya Pradesh, Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra on Wednesday invoked her father and former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi and how he never lost his cool when voters pointed to unfulfilled promises.
Speaking at a public meeting in the Datia district of Madhya Pradesh on Wednesday, the Congress leader said, "I remember how the people of Amethi told my father (Rajiv Gandhi) on his face, 'Rajiv bhaiya, unless you fix our roads, we will neither bestow our affection on you nor vote for you'. He was the PM at the time but never lost his cool."
"He would bow to them and say, 'I have issued an order (to get roads built) but it is taking time'. This is what our elders taught us. It is rooted in our tradition. Our forebears fought for freedom so that we could attain everything that we aspire for."
Her remarks came close on the heels of Prime Minister Narendra Modi calling her brother and Congress MP Rahul Gandhi "Murkhon Ke Sardar" (leader of the ignoramuses) for questioning his 'Make in India' claim.
Also taking a swipe at the state BJP heavyweights, including Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan and state Home Minister Narottam Mishra, the Congress national general secretary said, "Look at what the BJP leaders have done for Madhya Pradesh. The Home Minister's mandate and job is to enforce the rule of law in the state but he is busy watching movies all day long instead. He is more concerned about what one wears than public safety."
"Another world-renowned actor in these parts is the CM himself, Shivraj Singh Chauhan. When it comes to acting, he could even put Amitabh Bachchan to shame. However, when it comes to working for the state, he is like Asrani (popular Bollywood comedian)," Priyanka added.
Earlier, on Tuesday, the Election Commission issued a show-cause notice to the Congress general secretary over her "false statement" against Prime Minister Modi at a public rally in Madhya Pradesh.
She was deemed to have violated the Model of Conduct, which is in force in the state ahead of the November 17 polls.
The poll panel asked the Congress leader to explain by 8 pm on November 16 why appropriate action for violation of the Model Code of Conduct (MCC), as well as under provisions of election and penal laws, should not be taken against her.
The notice from the EC came on a complaint lodged by the BJP, claiming that Priyanka, while addressing a public rally at the Sanwer Assembly Constituency of Madhya Pradesh, "made unverified and false statements in respect of PM Narendra Modi that have the potential to mislead the public and tarnish the image of PM".
Meanwhile, on Wednesday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi took fresh aim at the Congress, stating that the party lacks vision for the development of Madhya Pradesh.
"At rallies, I sensed how upset the people of MP are with Congress's dynastic politics and negativity. Congress has no vision for the development of the state and neither does it have a roadmap. I urge all voters of MP to vote us back. Let the lotus bloom for a developed MP, for a developed India," he said in a post on X.
"The campaign for the Madhya Pradesh Legislative Assembly elections this time was rather special, more of a campaign to seek blessings from the people. I went to every corner of the state, met many people, and had conversations. The affection for BJP among the people, the faith in BJP, is our biggest asset," PM Modi posted from his X handle.
Wednesday is the last day of campaigning for the second phase for Chhattisgarh and the single-phased Madhya Pradesh Assembly elections.