Camp: Raebareli, UP

Date: 22 April, 2014

Time: 1.30 pm

Priyanka Gandhi in Raebareli hits back at opposition for baseless charges against her family

Raebareli: Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, daughter of Congress President Sonia Gandhi and sister of party vice-president Rahul Gandhi

broke her silence on the allegations levelled by BJP against her husband.

“What is happening now? Whenever we switch on TV, we hear arrogant language and personal attacks. Many things are being

said about my family, my husband. I feel sad the way humiliating things are being said. I keep telling my children that one day

the truth will come out” said Priyanka Gandhi Vadra while speaking at Raebareli from where her mother Sonia Gandhi is seeking

a fourth term in parliament.

“I am sad because the poll campaign, which should focus on people and development, is used for attacking us. Indira Ji had

taught me, if you are sincere and honest from your heart, if your intentions are clear, then you do not have to be worried. This

quality itself will act as a shield for us. The more they insult us, the stronger we emerge. The more they try to suppress us, the

more we will rise. This is what I learnt from Indira Gandhi. So, the more I will be humiliated, more will be my determination to

fight” further said Priyanka.

“I am not worried that they attack us. But I feel that elections must be fought with development as the main plank. It must be

focussed on the requirements of the people. The agenda must be based on what we are going to do for the welfare of the

people and development of our country. What are we going to for our youth, how we are going to take our country forward etc

must be the main talking points in an election. But the opposition misleads people with baseless allegations against us. I feel sad

for such misdeeds” she added.

“Our country is known for its rich culture, unity in diversity and peace. But these values are at danger at present. That is I want

to appeal to you” warned Priyanka Gandhi and continued, “Don’t vote for Sonia Gandhi, but for a good future of your children

and for your country. Vote for an India where everyone – Hindu, Muslim, Sikh, Christians, and Jain- live in harmony and love

each other”. “Are we looking for a nation where people fight each other on caste and religion? Are we looking for a country

where different castes and religions are being pitted against each other?” she asked.

“So, you vote for a good nation, for the future of your children and the youth here. Vote for those who will take our country

forward by treating everyone equally” urged Priyanka Gandhi Vadra.

““I think there has been a political attack on my family and they have used my husband to make this attack, which has gone on

for the past two years. I feel very strongly about it” she commented to the media while going back from the meeting.

Text of the speech by Priyanka Gandhi Vadra at Raebareli

This is election time; various people come to you and make promises. But I do not like to ask votes. You have given us a lot –

your love and support.

You have given a lot to my family and to my mother. It is a big thing that we have been able to work with you. So I won’t ask you

for your votes or anything else. You know very well about the works done by Sonia Gandhi for your region like erecting electric

post polls and wiring, roads and factories. You always supported Sonia Ji and she always fought for you. We have a family

relationship with Raebareli. So, for me it is very embarrassing, to asks vote For Sonia Ji. I know there is no need to ask for your

support. You extend warm love and affection to us and it is more than enough for us.

Recently I had read a letter written by a South American columnist to his friends. He had written ‘normally we tell what we

think; we must tell only those things which our heart tells us’. Sometimes, it comes to my mind what is happening in our

country. What kind of election we are facing now? What all are the issues being raised during present polls.

Kindness has been the culture of India. This is what great personalities like Buddha and Gandhi ji had taught us. This country

accepted my mother. She was not born her still you welcomed her from the core of your heart; extended full support and love

to her. This is our culture.

But, what is happening now? Whenever we switch on TV, we hear arrogant language, abuses and personal attacks. Many things

are being said about my family, my husband. I feel sad the way humiliating things are being said. I keep telling my children that

one day the truth will come out.

I am sad because the poll campaign, which should focus on people and development, is used for attacking us. Indira Ji had

taught me, if you are sincere and honest from your heart, if your intentions are clear, then you do not have to be worried. This

quality itself will act as a shield for us. The more they insult us, the stronger we emerge. The more they try to suppress us, the

more we will rise. This is what I learnt from Indira Gandhi. So, the more I will be humiliated, more will be my determination to

fight.

I am not worried that they attack us. But I feel that elections must be fought with development as the main plank. It must be

focussed on the requirements of the people. The agenda must be based on what we are going to do for the welfare of the

people and development of our country. What are we going to for our youth, how we are going to take our country forward etc

must be the main talking point in an election. But the opposition misleads people with baseless allegations against us. I feel sad

for such misdeeds.

Our country is known for its rich culture, unity in diversity and peace. But these values are at danger at present. That is I want to

appeal to you. I am very confident and I have no doubt at all that you will support Sonia Gandhi, wholeheartedly. You support

her not because that we have a family relation but because you have experienced how honestly she works for you.

Don’t vote for Sonia Gandhi, but vote for the good future of your children and for your country. Vote for an India where

everyone – Hindu, Muslim, Sikh, Christians, Jain- live in harmony and love each other. Are we looking for a nation where people

fight each other on caste and religion? Are we looking for a country where different castes and religions are being pitted against

each other? I came here just to remind you this.

So, you vote for a good nation, for the future of your children and the youth here. Vote for those who will take our country

forward by treating everyone equally.

“I think there has been a political attack on my family and they have used my husband to make this attack, which has gone on

for the past two years. I feel very strongly about it”.

Thank you.