'Your vote is a weapon, don't get misled,' says Priyanka Gandhi in debut speech

Gandhinagar: Priyanka Gandhi Vadra in her debut speech at a rally in Gandhinagar, Gujarat attacked Prime Minister Narendra Modi by expressing her angst over the current situation in the country.

"This country is made on the foundations of love, harmony and brotherhood. Today whatever is happening in the country is very sad. 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," said Priyanka Gandhi.

In the wake of Lok Sabha polls, Priyanka Gandhi targeted the voters' sentiment stating, "Your vote is a weapon, don’t get misled."

Priyanka slammed the Modi government for not fulfilling its promises of providing jobs to crores of people in the country.

Asking voters to focus on the election, Priyanka said: "You will have to think what exactly is this election. What are you going to choose in this election? You are going to choose your future. Useless issues should not be raised."

"Issues which should be raised must comprise as to what is most important for you and how can you move forward. How will youth get jobs? How will women feel safe? What will be done for farmers? These are the issues for elections. So, I request you all to vote wisely," she added.

Attacking the BJP-led Centre, Priyanka further said, "Those who talk about 'fitrat' (nature), the 'fitrat' of this country is that the winds of hate will be blown away by love."

She said that farmers and youth have worked hard to build the country and they can only protect the nation and no one else.

Priyanka's brother and Congress president Rahul Gandhi and Patidar leader Hardik Patel, who joined the party on Tuesday, were among those present at the rally.

The Congress held a rally in Prime Minister Narendra Modi's home state to sound its poll bugle for the crucial Lok Sabha elections.

The CWC meeting comes days after the Election Commission of India announced the schedule for the 17th Lok Sabha election, which will be held in seven phases beginning April 11.

The final phase of voting will take place on May 19. The counting of votes will be done on May 23.