By now, people await speeches of Rahul Gandhi with more excitement than the next episode of their favourite comedy show. It has become a pass-time for random, ordinary Indians to easily mock Rahul Gandhi for his hilarious statements and antics.
But for long, it was thought (or projected by media) that Rahul’s reclusive sister Priyanka Gandhi was the smarter of the two. She was projected as the hope for the sinking ship that is Congress. Even Congress workers had begun putting up posters in her support asking Priyanka to take the plunge and join politics full-time. Alas, Priyanka has spoken, and has proved the adage: “Better to remain silent and be thought a fool than to speak out and remove all doubt.”
At a rally in Rae Bareli, Congress launched Priyanka Gandhi to attack BJP and PM Modi, but alas, her utterances were once again the butt of derision and jokes on social media. First, Priyanka tried to attack Modi by asking whether Uttar Pradesh needed “adopted sons”. This was perhaps an attempt to bring the “bahari” angle, which worked well in Bihar. But social media users were quick to point out that at least Priyanka had no moral grounds to state this.
Reputed columnist Ashok Malik had this to say:
The Nehrus came from Kashmir to UP. Feroze Gandhi came from Gujarat to UP. Sonia came from Italy to UP. But this Modi fellow is an outsider https://t.co/aOW9VCs0jf
— Ashok Malik (@MalikAshok) February 17, 2017
Others chose to dig deeper:
Modi is outsider to Uttar Pradesh, says Priyanka..hehe and Italian born Sonia? she’s always an outsider for all over India @INCIndia
— Karthick Sridharan (@Karthick2668) February 18, 2017
As per Priyanka Gandhi, Modi (PM of country) is outsider for UP and she wants an Italian to be considered insider, waaah. #कारनामे_बोलते_है
— Anupam Shukla (@imanupamskl) February 18, 2017
Next, Priyanka Gandhi, in an attempt to woo women voters, asked why the Prime Minister refers to women as somebody’s sister, daughter, wife or mother. She further asked Modi to stop relating women like her to any of their relations. Priyanka may not have realised the obvious irony in her statement but social media users were ready to educate her:
Proud of Priyanka Gandhi for saying women don’t need husband or father’s name. All members of Gandhi-Nehru family have never used it.
— Liberal Of New Delhi (@LiberalsOfDelhi) February 17, 2017
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The irony is truly howling from this dynasty sychophant.We’re only talking about Priyanka cos she’s daughter of a political dynasty. #Dummy pic.twitter.com/WjjLKADP7O
— Rupa Subramanya (@rupasubramanya) February 18, 2017
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“Women Should Not Be Known By Father’s Name”,Says Priyanka Gandhi, Who Prefers To Keep “Gandhi” Surname Of Her Father For Political Benefits pic.twitter.com/GiOBfuDKl3
— Sir Ravindra Jadeja (@SirJadeja) February 18, 2017
Some asked why was Priyanka suddenly distancing herself from her relations:
Ashamed of Rajiv Gandhi, Rahul Gandhi & Robert Vadra, Priyanka Gandhi refused to be identified as their daughter, sister & wife resp. ?
— चार लोग (@WoCharLog) February 17, 2017
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Others reminded her of the time she herself bandied about her illustrious surname:
Never forget Priyanka Gandhi is Rahul Gandhi’s sister pic.twitter.com/CGzMpP4Hdz
— JNS ?? (@Sootradhar) February 18, 2017
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But Mainstream Media was trying its best to cover up for Priyanka. The Indian Express had this fawning piece for Priyanka, calling her a “feminist icon” while down-rating the feminist credentials of women leaders like Indira Gandhi, J Jayalalithaa, Mayawati, Mamata Banerjee. Once again social media users called out this bluff.
Columnist Rupa Subramanya had this to say:
Mayawati,Amma “can’t be considered feminist icons” argues IE sub-ed @radhika_iy who refers to Priyanka as Gandhi & not Vadra. #DynastReboot3 https://t.co/WFdr0YMl3o
— Rupa Subramanya (@rupasubramanya) February 17, 2017
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Priyanka Vadra doesn’t have a single accomplishment to her name other than the family she belongs to unlike Mayawati or Mamata. https://t.co/Y8bs9uI4bJ
— Rupa Subramanya (@rupasubramanya) February 18, 2017
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Others too echoed the same view:
Makes sense, Priyanka Gandhi is a thoroughly self made woman who has fought her way through patriarchy all her life, unlike Mayawati, Amma https://t.co/bm3gQPWQ2S
— The Masakadzas (@Nesenag) February 18, 2017
In the end, this tweet perhaps summed up Priyanka’s performance. Better luck next time!
Priyanka Vadra dressed like Indira, styled hair like Indira,had traces of Grey streaks like Indira, But Alas spoke like Pappu’s sister. ?
— WINGS OF FIRE (@shenoy70) February 17, 2017
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