A heated political clash unfolded in the Lok Sabha on Monday as Congress MP Priyanka Gandhi Vadra strongly criticised Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the Centre over the ongoing debate on Vande Mataram, alleging that the government is using the national song for electoral gains ahead of the West Bengal Assembly elections.
Speaking in the House, Priyanka questioned the very need for such a discussion:
“Why are we having a debate on Vande Mataram? What debate can there be on the national song?”
She claimed the timing of the debate is no coincidence, asserting that “We are having the Vande Mataram debate as West Bengal polls are coming.”
Priyanka: ‘Centre Committing a Great Sin’
The Congress leader accused the government of deliberately “creating controversy” around a symbol of national pride.
She said:
“The Centre is committing a great sin by politicising a song that is the soul of the nation. The Congress will not contribute to this sin.”
PM Modi Opens Debate, Targets Congress
Earlier in the day, PM Modi launched the parliamentary debate while marking 150 years of Vande Mataram.
He accused the Congress of historically compromising on national values, claiming the party had once “split the national song under pressure from the Muslim League,” calling it an example of political weakness.
‘You Are for Elections, We Are for the Country’
In a fiery counterattack, Priyanka said:
“You (BJP) are for the elections, we are for the country… We will sit here and fight you and your ideology, no matter how many elections we lose.”
She alleged the debate is merely a distraction from pressing national issues and criticised the prime minister’s leadership:
“Modi is not the PM he used to be. His confidence is decreasing; his policies are weakening the country.”
Calls for a Dedicated Debate on Nehru
Priyanka also responded to repeated references to former PM Jawaharlal Nehru in BJP speeches.
She said:
“Since you keep talking about Nehru, let’s assign a time for a discussion, list out all the insults against him, debate it, and close the chapter once and for all.”
The exchange marks yet another flashpoint in what is shaping up to be a contentious winter session of Parliament, with political tensions rising ahead of upcoming state elections.
Originally published on 24×7-news.com.
