Priyanka champions tribal rights, forest conservation at Gadchiroli rally

Nagpur: Priyanka Gandhi invoked her grandmother, former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi's sentiments on tribal culture and traditions, during a poll rally at Wadsa in Gadchiroli on Sunday. She said Indira recognised the native rights of indigenous people on ‘jal (water), jungle (forest), and jameen (land)' long before the world realised their significance in saving Mother Earth. She also criticised the BJP govts for anti-tribal policies, giving away their lands to private parties, denying them forest rights, and failing to safeguard their interests in legislation and facilities.
In her first rally in Gadchiroli, Priyanka also recalled the assistance rendered to the refugee Bengalis of the then East Pakistan (now Bangladesh) by allotting land and rehabilitating them in Gadchiroli several decades back. Among several other poll promises on various policies, Priyanka assured to look into the grievances of the Bengali population here. She also lambasted the present BJP-ruled coalition govt for giving up tribal lands to private companies for mining. "It's not a favour, but tribal rights are their birth right, which should not be touched," she said.
Priyanka also claimed that it was the Congress-led govt which saved Tadoba Tiger Reserve from being sacrificed for a mining project, and also opposed the allocation of around 40 coal blocks in the same region.
Priyanka reiterated the claim that Gujarat made industrial gains at the cost of Maharashtra by claiming key projects like Airbus, semiconductors, and others. "Maharashtra lost around Rs10 lakh crores in investment and around eight lakh employment," said Priyanka, adding that around 6,000 companies were shut down.
Cornering the BJP-led coalition, Priyanka asserted that Maharashtra's suicide rate was rising. "Maharashtra was once ahead of other states in several aspects, but now it stands highest in suicides by youth in the country," said Priyanka.
Her remark about Rs1,500 being given to women just four months before the election by the Mahayuti govt earned some applause. She promised the amount would be doubled the day after the Maha Vikas Aghadi govt is voted to power on November 23.
"We will also fill up 2.5 lakh vacancies," she said, after more than half the audience raised their hands on being asked if they were unemployed. "You gave Rs1,500 to the women and later drowned them in price rise. There is GST on everything from milk to medicines, education to groceries, and hence it's only spending and no income," she said, adding that women must come to the fore to vote for their future developments and growth.
In front of an overwhelming turnout on a hot afternoon, Priyanka also challenged ‘anti-reservation' Prime Minister Narendra Modi to come clear on the caste census issues and not spread canards against her brother Rahul. "The word ‘safe' for the BJP means safety vault of Adani for Prime minister Narendra Modi. While farmers, labourers, traders and industrialists clamour for loan waivers, it's only the top businessmen who are allowed such benefits," she added.
Reflecting good homework on her part, Priyanka also highlighted the heart-wrenching episode of a hapless father having to walk 15km with his son's body in the district, raising questions about the availability of ambulances and deteriorating health infrastructure. The Times of India had highlighted the incident.
Priyanka's rally was boost for Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) Congress candidates of Armori constituency Ramdas Masram and Gadchiroli's Manohar Poretti. The BJP camp was downcast after Union home minister Amit Shah cancelled his rally here on Sunday. Though BJP leaders live streamed Smriti Irani's speech, it was not enough.
Priyanka also promised Rs25 lakh health insurance, a loan waiver of up to Rs3 lakh, and additional benefits, with soyabean pegged at Rs7,000 per quintal and similar price settings for cotton and sugar too.