Rama Krishna Sangem
Congress general secretary Priyanka Gandhi made her first visit to Telangana on May 8, Monday. In a well packed public meeting at Saroornagar Stadium in Hyderabad, she unveiled a 5 point Youth Declaration of Congress and promised to fulfill aspirations of youth and unemployed if the party is voted to power in next assembly elections. The declaration will be implemented once the party forms the government.
Priyanka Gandhi, dressed in light green salwar, spoke for about 25 minutes in Hindi and importantly indicated that she would be coming to Telangana in the next few months. “I keep coming here many times and talking to you from now,” she said, hinting at her active role in the state’s assembly election campaigning. Elections to Telangana assembly are likely to be held in November – December, 2023.
Interestingly, unlike her brother Rahul Gandhi, Priyanka looked assertive about her position in Congress as well as public life. She owned up the legacy of her grandmother late Indra Gandhi’s sacrifice for the sake of the country and recalled how her mother Sonia Gandhi took a bold step to form Telangana state in 2014. “If she had thought of power or position, she wouldn’t have given you Telangana,” said Priyanka.
“You fondly recall Indiramma, by seeing me. If you still remember her after 40 years, it shows how deeply you love her. That enhances my responsibility (in public life),” said Priyanaka Gandhi. This type of assertion we never heard from Rahul Gandhi. Moreover,Priyanka recalled sacrifices made by her grandmother and late father Rajiv Gandhi and said, “I know how it would be from a family sacrificing for the sake of the country,” she said.
Charms crowds through smiles
Priyanka Gandhi charmed the crowds through her smiles and waving hands at them. Unlike Rahul, who always maintains a serious face, she warmly greeted everyone who met her on the dais. Though followed a written speech, she kept eye contact with the public. Compared to Sonia Gandhi or Rahul, she appears to be an effective communicator with masses, particularly youth.
The Youth Declaration’s 5 points are: 1. One government job to the kin of Telangana martyrs, and a Rs 25,000 pension to the families. 2. Filling up of around 2 lakh vacant jobs in government. 3. Rs 4,000 of monthly allowance to all those unemployed. 4. More skill development centers, universities, and clearance of fee reimbursement arrears. 5. Free RV scooters to girls in education.
PCC President and Malkajgiri MP A Revanth Reddy and AICC in charge Manikrao Thakre and Congress Legislature Party leader Mallu Bhatti Vikramarka too spoke on the occasion. Congress has done elaborate arrangements for the meeting which is largely participated by members of youth and students. This is the second declaration after a Farmers’ Declaration unveiled t Warangal sometime a year ago.
