M A I N   N E W S

Pained at personal attacks on husband: Priyanka
Defends Robert Vadra, says her family being targeted for political reasons
Aditi Tandon
Tribune News Service

New Delhi, April 22
Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, widely seen as Congress’ trump card against the Opposition, today took on BJP prime ministerial candidate Narendra Modi for the first time over his personal remarks against her family.

At an election rally in Rae Bareilly, her mother and AICC chief Sonia Gandhi’s parliamentary segment, Priyanka said she “felt pained at allegations against her husband Robert Vadra who was being targeted for political reasons” and that “such attacks have made her stronger”.

Invoking late Prime Minister and her grandmother Indira Gandhi, Priyanka said: “My grandmother always used to tell me that truth is like a shield. I tell my children that truth shall prevail.”

Priyanka’s decision to voice her “pain” at Modi’s “RSVP” jibe directed at her family, especially her husband, reflects a new thinking in the Congress that personal attacks on Gandhis would have to be challenged rather than ignored. That explains the first detailed response the Congress today gave on the allegations of corruption against Vadra, which BJP leaders have been levelling with a growing frequency in election season.

Congress spokesperson Randeep Surjewala said: “For two years now, Modi, the BJP and the Sangh family have been resorting to politics of malicious persecution with a revengeful attitude aimed at the Gandhi family.”

Lekhi hits back

Responding to Priyanka’s charges that her family, particularly her husband, was being “humiliated” by the Opposition party, BJP leader Meenakshi Lekhi said: “It is obvious for an Indian wife to feel bad about any attack on her husband, but people of the country are even more sad because of Congress’ misdeedss.”