As the Congress on Tuesday made an aggressive pitch with the promise of giving 40% tickets to women in Uttar Pradesh’s election battle, party’s general secretary and state in-charge Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, in an exclusive conversation with CNN-News18, gave its decision. Said is based on both realism and idealism.
Criticizing the Yogi Adityanath government over the issue of crimes against women, Priyanka said the Uttar Pradesh chief minister has a “patriarchal mindset” and wants to keep women under surveillance. On contesting the upcoming UP elections, he said that he has kept the issue open “for now”, adding that he has not “decided on the matter” yet.
You held an aggressive press conference today with a revolutionary announcement. What’s behind this idea?
As I said earlier, wherever I went to UP in the last two years, I saw women fighting for their rights. Women have been fighting for their rights in every walk of life. Violence against women has increased. From Unnao to Hathras to Lakhimpur, women have been victims of patriarchy, caste domination and exploitation. I think greater participation in politics is the key to fight against oppression.
Was this the idea since you were active in UP politics in 2019 or did you arrive at it gradually as you moved across the state?
I was most struck by the plight of the Unnao girl who was burnt to death near her house. The way she aspired to move forward against all odds impressed me. I slowly started noticing that today girls want to fight for their rights. Women are not ready to accept their exploitation. This feeling of struggle raises a lot of hope.
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The question of idealism versus realism in politics always remains. Do you think your idea is realistic too? Have you calculated the political ‘profit and loss’?
Idealism and realism must co-exist in politics. I really believe that it is both idealistic and realistic as 50% of our society is women, so what stops them from coming together. Now efforts are being made to create this unity.
The opposition says that you have no caste or religious basis in UP. Can you throw the new hat in the ring?
This is a positive step. The opposition will look at it with a negative mindset. Let them do this. I believe that the real motive of politics is development and change for the better. Today the meaning of politics has changed. Today false propaganda is being spread about development and better life. But who can pay Rs 1,000 for a LPG cylinder? Who is not bothered by the rising prices of petrol and diesel? People are wondering what has improved in their lives? People are unable to afford the house but the advertisements claim that all is well.
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In 2017, Rahul Gandhi attacked the RSS over women’s issues. He said that the RSS is anti-women. Would you like to add?
What is the CM of UP called? He says that women should live under the guidance of the father. When this is the thought process, I wonder what generational mindset they live in. In every speech you say ‘Maton Bahino’ (mothers and sisters). Yes, we are ‘mothers and sisters’, but we also have an identity as a woman. What’s the matter when you can’t recognize us women.
Are you going to contest elections?
This is not the issue I called about yet. Let us see how things progress in the times to come.
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