"Let Me Speak The Truth": Priyanka Gandhi Vadra On Congress Poll Results

Priyanka Gandhi Vadra warned under-performing Congress workers she would take action against them

Priyanka Gandhi Vadra tore into Congress workers at her mother Sonia Gandhi's constituency Raebareli in Uttar Pradesh on Wednesday, declaring that since she had been "asked to speak", she would not mince words about party men not doing enough to ensure victory. "I will find out about those who did not work for the party in the elections," she declared.

Priyanka Gandhi, the Congress General Secretary in charge of eastern UP, had accompanied Sonia Gandhi for a thanksgiving visit to Raebareli, the only constituency that the Congress won in 80-seat Uttar Pradesh in last month's national election.

Her brother Rahul Gandhi, the Congress president, suffered a shock defeat in another family stronghold next door, Amethi. Despite Priyanka Gandhi's intense campaign in the last few days before voting, Rahul Gandhi lost to the BJP's Smriti Irani from a constituency he had effortlessly won since 2004.

"I did not want to deliver any speech here but since I have been asked to speak, let me speak the truth. The truth is that this election was won with the help of Sonia Gandhi and the people of Raebareli," said the furious Congress leader.

"Those who have worked for the party know it in their hearts and I will find out all those who have not."

Priyanka Gandhi was among the Congress's most vigorous campaigners, speaking at rallies in Raebareli and Amethi, as well as taking on Prime Minister Narendra Modi in his stronghold of Varanasi.

Led by PM Modi and party chief Amit Shah, the BJP claimed an outsized mandate in the 2019 Lok Sabha polls, winning 303 seats on its own and 352 with its NDA allies. By comparison, the Congress won just 52 seats and was wiped out in 18 states and Union Territories.

Stunned by the scale of the defeat, Rahul Gandhi told his party's top decision-making body, the Congress Working Committee, that he would not continue as its chief anymore. So far, the Congress has been unable to persuade him to change his mind. The party, according to reports, is debating the idea of an interim arrangement.

Also yesterday, Sonia Gandhi attacked the BJP, accusing the ruling party of "crossing limits of dignity" to retain power and deliver a second successive term in office for Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

In her first public address since election results were declared last month, the United Progressive Alliance (UPA) chairperson also alleged that "many types of doubts" had emerged over the country's electoral processes.

"I feel this is the greatest misfortune that limits of dignity are crossed to retain the power," Sonia Gandhi said, also raising questions over the fairness of the electoral process.

With input from ANI