Priyanka Gandhi (PTI image) and Zohran Mamdani (AP image)
NEW DELHI: Congress general secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra on Wednesday hit back at the BJP-led NDA over its “dynastic politics” charge, saying those who question her family’s legacy cannot understand the “sacrifices made for the nation.”She cited the example of New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani, who recently quoted Jawaharlal Nehru in his victory speech, to underline how India’s first Prime Minister continues to inspire leaders across the world even as he faces “insults” at home.Addressing a rally in Valmiki Nagar in Bihar’s West Champaran district, Priyanka said, “We want to serve you. We understand that the wealth of the nation belongs to you. Our ancestors took part in the struggle for freedom. Many of your forefathers gave up their lives for Independence as well.”“The soil here is soaked in your blood as well as our blood. But those who scream from stages that there is dynasty politics can never understand these sacrifices, including martyrdom (shahadat). This is not parivarvaad but our dharma towards the nation,” said the Raebareli MP, recalling the assassinations of her father Rajiv Gandhi and grandmother Indira Gandhi. She also accused the BJP of showing disrespect towards Nehru. In her address, the Congress leader said, “From morning till evening, leaders of the BJP remain busy hurling abuses at Nehru, blaming him for all the ills that plague the country.” Priyanka referred to Zohran Mamdani’s victory speech in New York, where the 34-year-old Indian-origin Mayor began by quoting Nehru’s historic words from the Tryst with Destiny address. “A moment comes but rarely in history when we step out from the old to the new, when an age ends and when the soul of a nation long suppressed finds utterance. Tonight, New York has done just that,” Mamdani said. “The memory of Nehru was invoked recently by a person who won an election in New York, a major city in America. And here, in Nehru’s own country, we see insults heaped on him on a daily basis,” Congress MP said. Speaking about her brother Rahul Gandhi, the Congress leader rejected Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s claim that the Voter Adhikar Yatra aimed to “protect infiltrators.” “My brother Rahul Gandhi took out the yatra for you, the common people, whose right to vote is at risk. He has exposed another instance of vote theft in Haryana. The Prime Minister says we are working for infiltrators. Do you people see yourselves as infiltrators (ghuspaithiye),” she asked. Priyanka’s remarks come just a day before the first phase of polling for the Bihar Assembly elections, scheduled for tomorrow. The second phase will be held on November 11 and the results will be declared on November 14.