Priyanka Gandhi says PM Narendra Modi ignored his Varanasi, fuels speculations

A day after she said that her contesting the upcoming Lok Sabha elections is not ruled out, Congress general secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra on Friday took on PM Modi during her campaign speeches.

Speaking at a campaign rally in Ayodhya, she said PM Modi has not visited any village in his constituency Varanasi. "I have travelled across the state, and in PM Modi's constituency Varanasi, I asked people if he travels there, and they said yes. When I asked them if he visits villages, they said no."
"PM Modi has roamed the world, but did not have the time to visit the villages of Varanasi," she added.

On Thursday, she caused a flutter after she told a Congress worker, who suggested she contest the Lok Sabha elections from her mother's constituency Rae Bareilly, "Shouldn't I fight from Varanasi?" Her quip has now led to speculations that she could be a consensus candidate of the United Opposition from Varanasi against PM Modi. Her brother, Congress president Rahul Gandhi told two media outlets that Priyanka contesting is her own decision and he will support her.

Priyanka also took potshots at PM Modi's Pakistan trip. Replying to PM Modi's Thursday barb that while the country is speaking on one voice on Balakot, Congress leaders are questioning the government. "It was he who went to Pakistan to have biryani," she said, making a reference to PM Modi's unannounced Pak trip in Dec 2015.