Priyanka Gandhi Vadra Delivers First Speech in Lok Sabha: Accuses Modi Govt of Undermining Constitution | Mint

Lok Sabha MP Priyanka Gandhi Vadra on Friday accused the Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) government of trying to breach the 'Suraksha kavach' (protective shield) provided for in the Constitution.

During her debut speech in Lok Sabha, Priyanka Gandhi alleged that the Modi government was giving unnecessary favoritism to industrialist Gautam Adani at the expense of the people of India.

“Our constitution is 'suraksha kavach' (security armor). Such a 'suraksha kavach' that keeps citizens safe – it is a 'kavach' of justice, of unity, of the right to express oneself. It is sad that in the last decade, colleagues from the ruling side, who are making tall claims, have made all efforts to demolish this 'kavach',” Priyanka Gandhi said, adding that the government was trying to weaken the reservation through of lateral entry and privatization.

Priyanka Gandhi was speaking during a discussion in the Lok Sabha on December 13, marking the beginning of the 75th anniversary year of the adoption of the Constitution of India.

Prioritize the interests of one

Gandhi accused the government of prioritizing the interests of one individual over the welfare of 142 crore citizens.

“The country's wealth, airports and land are being handed over to one individual, while poor Indians are left to suffer. This blatant misuse of public resources is unacceptable,” she said.

She also attacked the ruling alliance for arming investigative agencies to silence dissent.

“False cases are being made against opposition leaders to suppress their voices. This abuse of power is an attack on democracy,” she said.

She also said that despite the ruling government's efforts to remove the name of the country's first Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru from books and speeches, his role in the independence struggle and nation building cannot be written off.

“If these had not been the results of the Lok Sabha elections, they would have also started working on changing the Constitution. The truth is that they are repeatedly talking about the Constitution because they have learned in this election that the people of this country will keep the Constitution of this country safe. By winning and almost losing these elections, they have realized that discussions about changing the constitution in this country will not work,” she said.

Lawmakers from the government and the opposition are expected to speak during the debate against the backdrop of a bitter political confrontation that marred the ongoing winter session of Parliament, with the INDIA bloc moving a motion seeking the removal of Rajya Sabha chairman Jagdeep Dhankhar.

Earlier, Defense Minister Rajnath Singh opened the debate on the Constitution in the Lok Sabha by accusing the Congress Party of trying to 'hijack' the making of the Indian Constitution.

“There has always been an attempt by a certain party to hijack the work of constitution making. Today I want to make it clear that our Constitution is not the gift of a single party,” Singh said.

Singh targeted Rahul Gandhi, the Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha, for 'going around with the Constitution in his pocket'. Singh added, “They have started thinking that the Constitution is actually in their pockets,” adding, “Certain leaders criticize India only when they go abroad.”

“When a certain leader said they wanted to open a Mohabbat ki dukaan, it is laughable,” Singh added, taking aim at Rahul Gandhi.

Priyanka Gandhi responded to Singh and said, “You find the muhabbat ki dukaan laughable, millions of Indians walked for it,” referring to Rahul Gandhi's Bharat Jodo Yatra.

The Wayanad MP also invoked the Sambhal violence and Manipur crisis and condemned Prime Minister Modi for not taking time to visit the two violence-ridden regions.