Amethi (Uttar Pradesh), April 20 (Inditop) Working up the crowds, addressing half a dozen public meetings, Priyanka Gandhi Monday campaigned here for her brother and Congress candidate Rahul Gandhi, but said she herself was keeping off active politics of her own volition.
“It does not come from within. It is absolutely nothing else. My family will fully support me if this is what I want to do, but I simply do not want to,” said Priyanka, who belongs to the Nehru-Gandhi clan. Amethi goes to polls Thursday in the second phase of the Lok Sabha elections.
Priyanka, who was here for a day, also spoke of her grandmother and late prime minister Indira Gandhi as her “idol” in childhood. “She was absolutely my idol at that time,” said Priyanka, who is often compared with her grandmother.
“People, I suppose, remember her as tough but for her grandchildren she was the gentlest and sweetest grandmother,” Priyanka Gandhi, clad in a simple green cotton sari, told English news channel Times Now.
About her brother not accepting a post in Prime Minister Manmohan Singh’s cabinet, she said: “That’s really up to him. What he has been doing is extremely important. He has been trying to foster democracy in the Youth Congress and it is extremely important to do what he feels will strengthen the party,” Priyanka added.
She also addressed about half a dozen public meetings.
“The credit for development in this region goes entirely to you as you gave us (the Gandhi family) a chance to serve you. Pehle Rajivji, phir Soniaji aur ab Rahul. You have bestowed your trust in us for years and we are not politicians but your servants,” Priyanka said at a meeting.
“The elderly people of this region have seen how change has taken place gradually and for more development and the prosperous future of your children, I request you to give Rahul another chance,” she added.
Priyanka once again urged people to come out in large numbers to exercise their voting right. “I know there are a number of marriages April 23 but your aim should be to come out in huge numbers and also convince others to come out and cast their vote,” she said.
“Shaadiyaan honi chahiye aur Rahul bhaiya ki bhi honi chahiye (Marriages should happen and Rahul should also get married), but it is also the responsibility of every Indian to exercise their basic right!” she said on a lighter note.
rounak