As Priyanka Gandhi Vadra makes her political debut, ThePrint recalls five famous comments by her.
New Delhi: As political parties change gears ahead of the Lok Sabha elections, the Congress in a surprise move Wednesday announced Priyanka Gandhi Vadra’s long-awaited formal entry into Indian politics.
Naming Priyanka as general secretary in charge of Uttar Pradesh east for the elections, the Congress is looking to take on UP Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath in his stronghold region after alliance talks with Samajwadi Party and Bahujan Samaj Party didn’t work out.
Till now, Priyanka’s role in politics was restricted to only two constituencies in UP — Sonia Gandhi’s Raebareli and Rahul Gandhi’s Amethi. Now, her entry into active politics is being seen as a galvanising move for Congress ranks, especially after last month’s victory in three heartland states.
With the focus now shifting to a possible Congress revival, ThePrint takes a look at five famous comments Priyanka has made in the past.
Also read: Four reasons why the classier, smarter Gandhi has finally joined politics
‘Main Rajiv Gandhi ki beti hoon’
Priyanka made this famous remark while campaigning for her brother Rahul in Amethi in May 2014. Reacting to the BJP’s then PM candidate Narendra Modi who had said that she was like his daughter, Priyanka told reporters, “Main Rajiv Gandhi ki beti hoon (I am Rajiv Gandhi’s daughter).”
‘Kya main buddhi dikhti hoon?’
This now-famous retort was made by Priyanka in Amethi way back in April 2009 while reacting to Modi, who was then Gujarat chief minister, for likening the Congress party to a 125-year-old budhia (old woman).
‘Don’t teach them the English alphabet like RSVP and ABCD’
In April 2014, Priyanka responded to a jibe by Modi who called the UPA government “RSVP (Rahul Sonia Vadra Priyanka) model” where a person can multiply his earnings from Rs 1 lakh to Rs 400 crore. Her full statement was: “You are not teaching in a school, you are addressing a nation, tell them what you will do for them. Don’t teach them the English alphabet like RSVP and ABCD.”
‘Narendra Modi has insulted my martyred father in Amethi’
The scathing remark came in May 2014 after Modi accused the Gandhis of arrogance during his campaign in Amethi. Her full statement was: “Narendra Modi has insulted my martyred father in Amethi… the people of Amethi will never forgive him. For this neech rajneeti (low politics), each polling booth in Amethi will exact revenge”.
Also read: In Photos | From sidelines to Congress leader, Priyanka Gandhi through the years
‘Does Uttar Pradesh need to adopt anyone from outside?’
In her first election rally speech in Rae Bareli before the Uttar Pradesh assembly elections in February 2017, Priyanka responded to Modi’s remark that he is the adopted son of Uttar Pradesh.
Her full statement was: “Prime Minister Narendra Modi had earlier said Varanasi has adopted me and I am like a son for it and will develop it…But I felt, does Uttar Pradesh need to adopt anyone from outside…Modiji, does the state need to adopt anyone from outside? Is there no youth here?…You have two such youth in Rahulji and Akhileshji before you who have UP in their hearts and mind.”
Ms Priyanka Gandhi is often compared to her grandmother, in terms of looks. Mrs Gandhi was a ruthless politician, both before and after the emergency. Priyanka has inherited her father’s natural charm and gentleness.