Ranchi, December 18: For the final leg of poll battle in Jharkhand, Congress has deployed the youngest Gandhi scion as a star campaigner. Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, in the absence of her brother Rahul Gandhi who is on an official trip abroad, is leading the party's charge in the fifth phase of elections in Jharkhand. The 47-year-old addressed two back-to-back rallies on Monday -- the first in Barharwa followed by a rally in Pakur.

In Pakur, Priyanka apparently aimed at wooing the tribal voters, as she projected the electoral battle to them as a "fight for their land and mother". She further went on to describe the elections as a battle for the "existence" of Jharkhand.

The Congress, she told voters, is committed to protect the diversity of Jharkhand and the culture and special rights of its tribal population. The BJP on the other hand wants to impose a singular vision on the people of Jharkhand.

"This election is a battle to save your mitti (land) and maa (mother). The battle is for the existence of Jharkhand. There are thousands of colours in the jungle, but the BJP cannot see these colours," she said.

Update by ANI

 

Priyanka also accused the BJP-ruled Centre of suppressing the voice of dissent in the nation. "When students protested in Delhi, the police was sent inside the campus to crackdown on them. This has prompted students across the nation to come out on the streets," she said.

The final phase of Jharkhand assembly elections are scheduled on December 20. The following seats are set to be contested: Rajmahal, Boiro, Barhait, Litipara, Pakur, Maheshpur, Shikaripara, Dumka, Jama, Jarmundi, Nala, Jamtara, Sarath, Poreyahat, Godda and Mahagama. Results of all 81 seats of Jharkhand will be declared on December 23.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Dec 18, 2019 04:33 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).