Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Sunday said India’s primary struggle today is to protect and preserve the Constitution, describing it as the foundation of the nation’s greatness.
While addressing a campaign event for his sister, Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, the Wayanad Lok Sabha candidate, Gandhi emphasised that the Constitution was written with love and humility, not hatred.
“The main fight in the country today, that is taking place, is the fight for the Constitution of our country. The protection that we get, the greatness of our country, all emerged from the Constitution,” Rahul said.
“The Constitution was not written with anger or with hatred. It was written by the people who fought the British, the people who had suffered, who spent years and years and years in jail. And they wrote the Constitution with humility, with love and with affection,” he added.
Gandhi framed the current political climate as a struggle between “love and hatred” and urged the public to embrace compassion and confidence over anger and insecurity. This campaign marks Gandhi’s first time seeking votes for his sister, recalling her support during his and their parents’ campaigns.
He shared a story of Priyanka’s empathy, recalling how she met and forgave one of their father’s assassins, displaying, he said, the compassionate politics India needs.
Meanwhile, Priyanka Gandhi accused Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s administration of prioritising the interests of business elites over citizens’ well-being, healthcare, and education. She alleged the government is fostering division and eroding democratic institutions.
“Modi ji’s government works only for his big businessmen friends. His objective, is not to give you a better life. It is not to find new jobs for your young one who are educated. It is not to provide better health, education and well being of the people,” she alleged.
Priyanka highlighted local issues, including healthcare, night bans on Ghat Road, and the need for better infrastructure to address man-animal conflicts and support tribal and agrarian communities. She vowed to advocate for a medical college with comprehensive health facilities for the area. She resumed her campaign Sunday with meetings across Mananthavady, Valad, and Korom, aiming to counter rival criticisms that she is an infrequent visitor to the constituency.
The Wayanad Lok Sabha seat was vacated by Rahul Gandhi, who chose to retain his Rae Bareli seat. Voting will take place on November 13.