Don’t need certificates from those who betrayed country during freedom struggle: Priyanka Gandhi

Congress general secretary incharge of Uttar Pradesh East Priyanka Gandhi on Thursday said that her party doesn’t need any certificate on nationalism from those who betrayed the country during the freedom struggle by pleading before the Britishers. Not taking names of any leader of party, Priyanka, while addressing party workers in a closed-door meeting in Rae Bareli, said, “We do not need any certificate from those who worked against the interests of the country during the freedom struggle and wrote to the British government to be freed from jails. We have fought the freedom struggle and are not afraid of them. We are not going to be browbeaten by them.”

Launching a scathing attack on saffron brigade for instigating nationalism and religion to “swing votes” in their favour, the Congress leader said that they were using martyrs for political gains.

“Those who are talking about corruption are corrupt themselves, those who are talking of their work have not worked and those who are talking of religion indulge in irreligious acts. They are using martyrs for political purposes,” The Hindustan Times quoted Priyanka as saying.

In 2019 Lok Sabha elections, besides everything else, nationalism is a dominating issue used by the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leaders to target the Opposition. From Prime Minister Narendra Modi to BJP president Amit Shah, many BJP leaders have questioned the patriotism of Opposition parties and accused them of being sympathisers of Pakistan – a neighbouring country dubbed as “enemy” by many ruling party leaders.

The Congress leader also triggered speculations of a mega showdown with Prime Minister Narendra Modi when party workers asked her to contest the Lok Sabha elections from Rae Bareli – constituency of her mother Sonia Gandhi.

 "Why not Varanasi," Priyanka quipped amid loud cheers while meeting Congress workers in Rae Bareli. Varanasi is the Lok Sabha constituency of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

On Wednesday, the Congress general secretary in-charge of Uttar Pradesh East, had said that although she wishes to work for the party’s organisation, she will fight elections if asked to do so. "If my party asks me to contest the polls, I will definitely do so. But my personal wish is to work for the party’s organisation as a lot of work needs to be done," the Congress leader told reporters.