Nationalism is to solve people’s problems, not to suppress them: Priyanka Gandhi

Congress party general secretary from eastern Uttar Pradesh Priyanka Gandhi on Sunday accused the Narendra Modi led-government of suppressing people’s problem and added that a true nationalist focuses on problems that matter to the people.

“Issues are clear; employment, education and health. Nationalism is to solve problems of people. Here they don't listen to people, when they (people) raise their issues they suppress them, it's neither democracy nor nationalism,” Priyanka told ANI in Amethi.

“The way they (BJP) contest polls by distributing money, sarees and shoes in front of media is wrong....People of Amethi have never begged in front of anyone. I've been coming here since I was 12, people of Amethi and Raebareli have a lot of pride,” she added.

Earlier, the Congress had made it clear that not contesting from Varanasi was Priyanka's decision as she wanted to focus on the Lok Sabha Election 2019 campaign.

"It [not contesting from Varanasi] was Priyanka ji's decision, she has other responsibilities," Sam Pitroda, a close aide of Rahul Gandhi said today.

"She [Priyanka Gandhi] thought rather than concentrating on one seat she should focus on the job she has at hand. So, that decision was her and she decided it," Sam Pitroda, Indian Overseas Congress Chief said.

Congress declared Ajay Rai as its candidate from Varanasi Lok Sabha constituency, ending speculation of PM Modi vs Priyanka Gandhi face-off.

The Congress party is facing questions after Priyanka Gandhi chose not to contest from Varanasi. Senior BJP leader and union minister Arun Jaitley tweeted his disappointment over Priyanka's decision and said, "India has changed, dynasties don’t matter. Her exit from the contest shows what matters."