BJP leaders 'selective' in respecting martyrs, not patriots: Priyanka

Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra slammed the BJP on Saturday for turning patriotism into an election issue and ignoring the poor and farmers, saying had the ruling party leaders been patriots they would not have been "selective" in respecting martyrs.

Addressing a 'nukkad sabha' in favour of Congress nominee Rakesh Sachan here, the Congress general secretary incharge of eastern Uttar Pradesh said, "The issue of patriotism is raised whenever elections come, but the real questions on farmers, unemployed, women safety are left behind."
On a day-long visit to the constituency, during which she held a roadshow clad in a red cotton saree, Priyanka cited the examples of demonetisation and BJP's promise to bring back blackmoney to say that "big announcements (by this government) are often linked to patriotism."
"Is there anyone who is not a patriot?"
The Congress leader, who arrived to a rousing reception at the Kanpur airport earlier in the day and reached here by road, said, "You all know how leaders like us are... Make them stand on the dias and they will forget that it was you who gave them power. You will have to remain vigilant."
Attacking the ruling party, she said, "BJP leaders make tall claims. Had they been such big patriots they would have respected the martyrs whether Hindus or Muslims or father of the Opposition party leader. You cannot be selective in this. So, respect Rajiv Gandhi, Indira Gandhi. If you are really patriots."