Lucknow, December 28: Congress' general secretary in-charge for eastern Uttar Pradesh, Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, launched a stinging attack against Prime Minister Narendra Modi while addressing an event on the party's 135th foundation day. The Gandhi scion accused the Indian  PM of "lying" and leading people astray on the issue of National Register of Citizens (NRC). The country, she said, has recognised the alleged falsehood being spread by Modi.

"Those who were promoting the idea of nationwide NRC, now claim that there has been no discussion over it. This country is now recognising you (Modi), your cowardice and is fed up of your lies," Priyanka said in Lucknow. 'NPR, NRC More Disastrous Than Demonetisation': Rahul Gandhi Targets Modi Government.

The top Congress leader also took a veiled jibe at the Samajwadi Party and Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP), accusing it of not proactively opposing the CAA-NRC project of the Centre. She said the Congress party is capable of solely playing the role of Opposition, and would also move into the next assembly elections without a pre-poll alliance.

"Other opposition parties in state are not speaking up a lot. But as I said, we're not going to be afraid & keep raising voices even if we've to walk alone.We've to be prepared to go into next Assembly elections alone," Priyanka said.

Update by ANI

Union Home Minister Amit Shah, who had told the Parliament that the NRC would be implemented by 2024, was apparently contradicted by PM Modi who told a gathering in Delhi's Ramlila Maidan on Sunday that there has been no official discussion on conducting a nationwide NRC. Two days after his remarks, Shah told news agency ANI that Modi was "correct" and there has no Cabinet discussion over the proposed nationwide NRC. "Whenever it would happen, it would not happen secretly," he said.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Dec 28, 2019 02:12 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).