'Your vote is weapon', Priyanka Gandhi tells electorates in her first public rally

In her first political rally, the newly appointed Congress general secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra on Tuesday told electorates that their votes are a "weapon" which should be used wisely, disregarding useless issues and tall claims made by others.

"Your awareness is a weapon, your vote is a weapon. It is a weapon where no one will get hurt or sad, it is that weapon which will make you strong," said Priyanka amid loud cheers from the crowd at the rally in Gandhinagar.

Targetting Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Priyanka said that those who do "badi badi baatein (tall claims)", the people should ask where is two crore jobs and the Rs 15 lakh to every account as promised during the last Lok Sabha poll campaigning.

The country is made on the foundations of love, harmony and brotherhood, she said adding that whatever is happening today, however, is "very sad".

Addressing the crowd at the rally, the general secretary told the electorates, "This fight is not less than the fight we fought during Independence. Our institutions are being destroyed, hatred is being spread everywhere."

Asking voters to focus on the election, Priyanka said: "You will have to think what exactly is this election. What are you going to choose in this election? You are going to choose your future. Useless issues should not be raised."

"Issues which should be raised must comprise as to what is most important for you and how can you move forward. How will youth get jobs? How will women feel safe? What will be done for farmers? These are the issues for elections. So, I request you all to vote wisely," she added.

Attacking the BJP-led Centre, Priyanka further said, "Those who talk about 'fitrat' (nature), the 'fitrat' of this country is that the winds of hate will be blown away by love."

She said that farmers and youth have worked hard to build the country and they can only protect the nation and no one else.

Priyanka's brother and Congress president Rahul Gandhi and Patidar leader Hardik Patel, who joined the party today, were among those present at the rally.

Priyanka's first ever political rally comes after she made her debut appearance in the Congress Working Committee (CWC) meeting held in Gandhinagar earlier today.

The CWC meeting comes days after the Election Commission of India announced the schedule for the 17th Lok Sabha election, which will be held in seven phases beginning April 11. The final phase of voting will take place on May 19. The counting of votes will be done on May 23.