Priyanka Gandhi dismissed BJP's charge that Manamohan Singh was a "weak" prime minister citing the example of Mahatma Gandhi.
Priyanka Gandhi on Tuesday dismissed BJP's charge that Manamohan Singh was a "weak" prime minister citing the example of Mahatma Gandhi, who she said was a gentle person but a strong leader.
"Take for example Mahatma Gandhi. No one was gentler a person than him, but he was a great and strong leader," Priyanka told reporters while campaigning for her brother Rahul in a whirlwind tour of villages of Amethi constituency.
She said it would be wrong to judge the strength and firmness of a leader just by his appearance.
"Manmohan Singh is a very strong, firm and capable leader," Priyanka said.
She disapproved of the personal attacks on women candidates.
"The society which does not respect women, the persons who do not respect women, they themselves do not deserve any respect," she said.
On her chances of contesting elections, Priyanka said "requests keep coming, but I am clear that I do not want to contest elections...I do not want to join politics. Whatever I am doing here is my duty towards my family and this region.
"Why not. If they get a chance, they will," she shot back when asked whether her children will campaign during the polls.
However, Priyanka was quick to add that her children have to attend school from Wednesday.
Asked about her personal dreams, Priyanka said she does not dream too much. "But when I actually grow old I want to be satisfied that I had worked for the welfare of the people and that I have not hurt anyone in doing so."
She parried a question on Congress being responsible for the present situation in the country.
Canvassing for her brother Rahul in his constituency, Priyanka said people should exercise their votes for development.
"When you go for vote on April 23, you should realise that it is not only your right but also your power. You should think about the candidate who can develop the area," she said.
Listing the achievements of Rahul as an MP, she said he brought roads in several areas, power connection, water supply, mobile vans, schemes for women with self help groups and took steps for education of the children.
"We know that you (voters) have supported us. I can assure you that from our side, the support is there and will always be there," she said, asking the people to vote for Rahul for the continuous development of the area.
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