Congress MP Priyanka Gandhi Vadra on Thursday said the people of Keralam embody the “true spirit of India,” praising the state’s traditions of free expression, education, equality, and compassion.
Addressing a public rally in Chirayinkeezhu, she said, “This is a land of revolutionary thinkers like Narayan Guruji. He was one of the great inspirations of Mahatma Gandhi ji and in many ways, you still live those traditions today. The traditions of free expression, good education, equality, love and compassion for each other. I have no hesitation in saying that the spirit of Keralam is the true spirit of India.”
Speaking to ANI, Priyanka Gandhi criticised Prime Minister Narendra Modi for skipping an all-party meeting on the West Asia conflict.
“It was a very important discussion that had to take place, but he chose not to be there. He clearly thinks it is not important enough,” the Lok Sabha MP from Wayanad said.
In her speech, she accused the Modi government of compromising India’s sovereignty. “The policies of the Modi government are doing nothing for our people. He has chosen instead to bow down before Israel and the US. Our PM has handed our energy security to the Americans and signed our future away. They now tell us who we can buy from and when,” she said.
In a personal attack, Gandhi called the Prime Minister a “coward.” “Modi is a coward. He does not have the courage to stand up for India. The people are paying the price every day for his decisions. We are paying because his name is in some Epstein files,” she alleged.
Gandhi also targeted the Pinarayi Vijayan-led Left Democratic Front (LDF), accusing it of neglecting people’s needs.
“The Kerala CM is acting like the B-team of Narendra Modi. Why is it that none of the Left leaders have been attacked by the Centre? Even when there was a big theft in the Sabarimala Temple, the PM said nothing,” she claimed.
She further alleged that both the BJP and the Left are “corrupt corporate parties” that have been in power too long.
Calling for political change, Gandhi said, “As an MP from Kerala, I feel bad when I travel through my constituency. I see so many opportunities to help and create jobs being wasted every day. We have a state government negligent of your progress. A new government is necessary for Kerala to remind the leadership of its responsibility to the people.”
She also flagged concerns about the Malayali diaspora in West Asia, saying their families are “sick with worry,” and alleged that the central government remains indifferent to their safety.
Highlighting employment challenges, she said many nurses are forced to migrate due to low wages. “A nurse in this state couldn't find a job in her own home. When she finally did, the salary was so low she had to move to Delhi. The public health system is crumbling, there is a shortage of staff, and job creation is at an all-time low,” she alleged.
She added that sectors such as tea, coffee, banana, and dairy are under strain due to rising prices and lack of support. “ASHA and Anganwadi workers protested for months, but their voices were silenced. The government only heard them when elections neared. They toil so much and get so little,” she said.
Chirayinkeezhu Assembly constituency, part of the Attingal parliamentary constituency, has been won by the Left Democratic Front (LDF) in the last three Assembly elections.
The United Democratic Front (UDF) has fielded Ramya Haridas, a former Lok Sabha MP from Alathur (2019–2024). She will contest against Manoj B Edamana of the CPI and B S Anoop of the BJP. Anoop had earlier contested the 2021 Assembly elections from the constituency on a UDF ticket.
Elections for the 2026 Keralam Legislative Assembly will be held on April 9, with counting scheduled for May 4. The current assembly’s tenure ends on May 23.
Earlier in the day, the Congress-led United Democratic Front (UDF) released its manifesto.
Key promises include free bus travel for women, welfare pensions of Rs 3,000 per month, Rs 1,000 monthly support for college-going girls, and a Rs 25 lakh insurance scheme for families.
The manifesto also proposes Rs 6,000 per month for families below the poverty line under the Nyuntam Aay Yojana (NYAY), support prices of Rs 250 per kg for rubber and Rs 35 per kg for paddy, and housing for all eligible beneficiaries by addressing issues in the ‘Life Mission’ project.
Healthcare proposals include improving the Karunya Insurance scheme and setting up dialysis centres in all Panchayats, while education plans focus on international-standard institutions through foreign collaborations.
Employment initiatives aim to provide jobs to five lakh youth within five years. Measures to address rising prices of essential goods and support for fishing communities are also included.
Women-focused measures include expanded self-employment loans through Kudumbashree, stricter safety laws, and free monthly kits for all yellow cardholders (AAY).
