Dethrone NDA govt to bring real development in Bihar: Priyanka

Patna: After leader of opposition in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi, Congress MP Priyanka Gandhi on Saturday raised the issue of “vote chori” (vote theft) during her Bihar campaign, accusing the NDA of using it to win elections and amass wealth for “a chosen few” by suppressing people’s rights. She urged voters to act conscientiously and dethrone the current govt to bring meaningful development to the state.Priyanka, who had joined the Rahul-led Voter Adhikar Yatra in Aug that passed through several Bihar districts, explained why the ruling alliance repeatedly resorts to what she called “vote theft”.“Vote chori kya hai? Logon ko dabane ka naya tarika hai. Vote chori karke baar-baar chunao jitate hain aur logon ko dabakar saari sampatti apne mitron ko de dete hain (Do you know what vote theft is? It’s a new way to suppress people. By stealing votes, they repeatedly win elections and hand over the country’s wealth to their chosen industrialist friends by crushing the masses),” she said while addressing a rally in Begusarai’s Bachhwara constituency.Stepping up her attack, Priyanka claimed that those in power frequently indulge in “vote theft” because people have become aware of their rights, describing it as a deliberate attempt to undermine democracy.She targeted the NDA govt on issues of unemployment and migration, dismissing the notion of a “double-engine” govt. “Don’t have this misconception. There is no double-engine govt in Bihar, but only a single engine... and everything is controlled from Delhi,” she alleged, adding that chief minister Nitish Kumar “has no respect in the current setup.”At her maiden Bihar election rally, Priyanka also accused the NDA at the Centre and in the state of engaging in “divisive politics” and spreading “fake nationalism” to distract from real issues. “They have indulged in divisive politics and fake nationalism to divert people’s attention since they have no issues to talk about,” she said, adding that NDA leaders “either talk about the past or the future, but never about the present.”Highlighting joblessness as a major concern, she said the ruling alliance was indifferent to youth issues. Urging people not to be swayed by false promises, she appealed to voters to use their ballots wisely. “You have the opportunity to change the govt. Throw out the govt that doesn’t talk about your rights,” she said.Criticising what she described as widespread privatisation under NDA rule, Priyanka alleged, “The PM handed over big PSUs to his corporate friends.” She said the people of Bihar deserve a govt that prioritises their welfare over corporate interests.