Priyanka Gandhi slams 'neglect by BJP' in Wayanad campaign

KOZHIKODE: Congress general secretary and poll debutante Priyanka Gandhi Vadra marked the second round of her campaign for Kerala's Wayanad Lok Sabha seat by accusing BJP Tuesday of showing "total disrespect for the people of this country for 10 years". She held the Modi govt responsible for the "neglect" of the constituency vacated by her brother Rahul Gandhi after winning consecutive elections from there.

Priyanka, the UDF candidate for the Nov 13 bypoll, held four rallies in which she focused on BJP's alleged attempts "to destroy democracy" by practising a brand of politics where "only power matters and people don't".

"They have forgotten the essence of our nation," she said at Chungathara. "They are working to spread anger and hatred. Their policies are designed to help just five-six business houses, while the needs and pressing issues of the people are set aside."

Priyanka said the "ugliest face of this kind of politics" was reflected in the victims of the Wayanad landslides still awaiting compensation from the Centre. "The result of BJP's kind of politics is that PM Narendra Modi comes here, the victims of the tragedy, but he does not release the funds they need to make their lives better again."