Priyanka Gandhi Leads Congress in Parliament While Rahul Gandhi Attends Event in Germany

New Delhi:

Just a week ago, BJP leaders were ridiculing Rahul Gandhi, the Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha, calling him "videsh nayak" (foreign leader) for traveling abroad during the ongoing Winter Session of Parliament. However, his absence appears to have presented the BJP with an equally formidable opponent to contend with.

With her brother attending an Indian Overseas Congress event in Germany, Congress general secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, a first-time MP, has stepped up to lead her party in the Lok Sabha.

The Wayanad MP, whose viral criticism of the government during the Vande Mataram debate garnered widespread attention, immediately made her presence felt. When Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan introduced the Viksit Bharat - Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission (Gramin), known as G Ram G Bill, intended to replace the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act, Priyanka Gandhi launched a powerful critique.

Priyanka's Challenge to the G Ram G Bill

"MGNREGA has successfully provided livelihood to rural India and strengthened the rural economy for 20 years. This revolutionary law received unanimous support from all political parties when it was introduced. It guarantees 100 days of employment annually to the country's poorest citizens," she stated.

She emphasized that MGNREGA provides employment based on demand, with central funding allocated accordingly. In contrast, the new Bill allows the government to predetermine funding levels. She also highlighted that while MGNREGA empowered Gram Sabhas to assess local work requirements, the new legislation diminishes their role. "The right to employment is being undermined, which contradicts our Constitution."

Priyanka Gandhi noted that the central government's contribution to the scheme has been reduced to 60 percent for most states. "This will strain state economies when they are already awaiting GST payments from the Centre," she pointed out.

'Mahatma Gandhi Is Not From My Family'

The elder Gandhi sibling demonstrated quick thinking and effectively countered BJP's political attacks. While challenging the G Ram G Bill and questioning the removal of Mahatma Gandhi's name from the legislation, someone from the treasury benches made a "family" remark. Priyanka swiftly responded, "Mahatma Gandhi is not from my family, but he is like a family member to me, as he is to the entire country."

She questioned the "obsession" with renaming every scheme, pointing out the costs incurred with each change. "This Bill should not be rushed through without proper discussion and consideration of the House's advice. It should be withdrawn, and the government should propose a new Bill," she argued, adding that legislation should not be passed based on someone's "whim, ambition, or prejudice."

Leading Protests Inside and Outside Parliament

When the opposition walked out of the Lok Sabha in protest against the Bill, Priyanka Gandhi led from the front. Carrying a photograph of Mahatma Gandhi, she marched across Parliament premises, leading slogans against the proposed legislation.

Despite Rahul Gandhi's absence, the Congress party made headlines for its strong opposition to the Bill both within and outside the House.

Priyanka Gandhi's powerful speech during the Vande Mataram debate, where she challenged the BJP to conduct a discussion on complaints against Jawaharlal Nehru and Indira Gandhi to "close the chapter once and for all," earned praise even from Congress critics. Her exceptional leadership, despite being an MP for just one year, has firmly established her as a prominent leader within the Congress party.