Priyanka Gandhi Slams Govt in Lok Sabha, Says Modi Has Been PM 12 Years While Nehru Spent Similar Time in Jail

Congress MP Priyanka Gandhi Vadra sharply criticised the BJP government during a Lok Sabha debate on 150 years of Vande Mataram, accusing the ruling party of using the discussion as a political tool ahead of the West Bengal elections.

Speaking during the Winter Session on Monday, Priyanka accused Prime Minister Narendra Modi of diverting public attention from issues like unemployment, inflation and governance challenges by repeatedly invoking debates around historical figures.

She argued that Modi “selectively quoted” from Jawaharlal Nehru’s 1937 letter regarding Vande Mataram, ignoring Nehru’s assertion that objections to the song were being fuelled by communal elements.

The Wayanad MP also alleged that the government was using the debate to target freedom fighters and rewrite history for electoral gain.

Priyanka Targets BJP Over Nehru, National Institutions

Priyanka highlighted the contrast between Nehru’s sacrifices and Modi’s years in power.

She said Nehru had spent 12 years in prison, roughly the same duration Modi has served as Prime Minister to date.
She added that Nehru’s 17-year tenure as PM laid the foundations for modern institutions such as ISRO, DRDO, AIIMS, and strengthened India’s scientific and strategic capabilities.

She said attacking Nehru amounted to undermining the legacy of leaders like Gandhi, Tagore, Ambedkar, Maulana Azad, Sardar Patel and Subhash Chandra Bose.

Claims PM Modi’s Confidence Is Waning

Priyanka further said the Prime Minister “is no longer the leader he once was,” arguing that declining confidence and weakening policies were pushing citizens into distress while the ruling party avoided accountability.

“You are for elections, we are for the country. No matter how many elections we lose, we will sit here and fight your ideology,” she declared.

Demands Debate on Real Issues

The Congress MP reiterated that Vande Mataram belongs to the soul of India and does not warrant controversy. She suggested holding a one-time debate on all alleged insults to Nehru and then shifting focus to issues such as unemployment, price rise and communal polarisation.