Congress MP Priyanka Gandhi Vadra made her maiden speech in Parliament on Friday, marking a significant moment in the ongoing two-day debate on the Constitution. The newly elected MP from Kerala’s Wayanad district led the Congress charge against the BJP-led NDA government, accusing it of undermining the Constitution over the past decade.
Priyanka Gandhi’s address focused heavily on the role of the Constitution, reservations, and the pressing need for a nationwide caste census. Invoking Dr. B.R. Ambedkar, the father of the Indian Constitution, she started her speech by recognizing his invaluable contribution to India’s democracy and legal framework.
She called the Constitution a “suraksha kavach” (protective shield), but criticized the ruling government for making efforts to “break” it. Gandhi suggested that if the 2019 Lok Sabha elections had yielded a different result, the BJP would have likely attempted to alter the Constitution.
The Congress leader sharply criticized Prime Minister Narendra Modi, stating that he didn’t understand “Bharat ka Samvidhan” (the Constitution of India) but rather adhered to “Sangh ka Vidhan” (the ideology of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh). She went on to accuse the Modi government of trying to weaken reservations through policies like the Lateral Entry Scheme and privatization.
Reaffirming her party’s stance, Priyanka Gandhi called for a nationwide caste census to assess the condition of all social groups and ensure that government policies address the realities of every community. “The people of this country are demanding a caste census,” she asserted, emphasizing that understanding the socio-economic conditions of various groups was crucial for formulating appropriate policies.
Touching on the ongoing Adani controversy, Priyanka Gandhi also accused the Modi government of favoring big business interests at the expense of the common people.
She alleged that the government had “sold everything” to corporate interests, while ignoring the welfare of 1.4 billion Indians. “The country is watching, as everything from wealth to ports and roads is being handed over to one person,” she charged, referring to industrialist Gautam Adani.
Priyanka Gandhi also turned her attention to the ongoing unrest in Manipur, condemning the BJP-led government’s handling of the situation. She stated that the ruling party was unable to maintain unity in the country, referencing the violence and instability in the northeastern state. “We saw this in Sambhal and Manipur,” she said, highlighting the atmosphere of fear created by the government. “They have sown seeds of discord and hatred,” she added.
Priyanka Gandhi further suggested that ongoing political debates could be resolved through a public ballot, saying, “Conduct elections through a ballot, and the truth will be revealed.”
Her maiden speech was widely appreciated within her party. Rahul Gandhi, her brother, praised her address, calling it a “wonderful speech” and claiming it was “better than my maiden speech.”