Targeting Prime Minister Narendra Modi on “unfulfilled” promises and “destruction” of institutions, Congress general secretary Priyanka Gandhi on Tuesday asked people to ask the right questions and use their vote as a “weapon”.

In her first election speech after assuming charge as a party office bearer, Priyanka said: “Our institutions are being destroyed. Wherever you see, hatred is being spread. Nothing matters more to us that you and I protect this nation, work for it and move forward together.”

Stressing that “I am saddened by what is happening in our country today. I want you all to be more aware. That is the best sign of patriotism. Your vote is your weapon. You are not supposed to harm someone with that weapon. But it will make you stronger,” she said.

She was speaking at a rally in Adalaj village of Gujarat’s Gandhinagar district, held after the Congress Working Committee meeting — the first in Gujarat since 1961. Congress president Rahul Gandhi and UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi were also present at the rally, which also launched the party’s campaign for the April-May Lok Sabha elections.

Priyanka also asked people not to fall prey to “meaningless issues”. “You are going to decide your future in this election… Focus on issues that will make you grow, like how youth will get jobs, how women will feel safe and what should be done for farmers,” she said, adding that the Modi government did not “fulfil” its promises of providing jobs to crores of people.

“You need to take decisions wisely. Question those who made tall promises. Ask what happened to the promise of creating two crore jobs. What happened to the promise of depositing Rs 15 lakh in your bank accounts?” she said.

Taking the stage later, her brother and Congress chief Rahul Gandhi, too, slammed Prime Minister Modi on the implementation of the Goods and Services Tax (GST), the Rs 15-lakh promise and on the heightened tension with Pakistan and said in the LS polls, the truth will win and hatred will be defeated.

Referring to the Pulwama terror attack and the subsequent air strike by India and the aerial engagement with Pakistan Air Force the next day, Rahul said it was national security adviser Ajit Doval who sent Jaish-e-Mohammad chief Masood Azhar to freedom in a “special plane”.