Priyanka accuses LDF govt. of politicising welfare pension payment

All India Congress Committee general secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra and United Democratic Front candidate Aryadan Shoukath greeting people during a roadshow in Nilambur on Sunday evening.
| Photo Credit: SAKEER HUSSAIN

All India Congress Committee (AICC) general secretary and Member of Parliament representing the Wayanad Lok Sabha constituency Priyanka Gandhi Vadra told voters of Nilambur that electing United Democratic Front (UDF) candidate Aryadan Shoukath in the June 19 Assembly byelection would enable her to work more effectively to deliver benefits to Nilambur.

“We need to get work done for you. We can do it together. We can put all our resources and all our force and strength into doing it together,” said Ms. Vadra addressing a rally as part of the UDF campaign at Moothedam on Sunday evening.

She highlighted the potential benefits of having a strong alliance between the MP and MLA. The Nilambur Assembly segment is part of the Wayanad Lok Sabha constituency.

Priyanka Gandhi Vadra addressing a rally at Moothedam in Nilambur on Sunday evening.
| Photo Credit:
SAKEER HUSSAIN

Ms. Vadra accused the Left Democratic Front (LDF) government in the State of politicising the ₹1,600 a month welfare pension to the poor. She said the pensions must be paid on time, not selectively or opportunistically by the government. People relied on this pension and its timely disbursal was crucial, she said.

She criticised the State government for its treatment of Acrredited Social Health Activists. She warned the government that the lives and livelihoods of the people should not be subject to political manipulations.

Death of boy

Ms. Vadra also criticised the government for its failure to prevent the accidental death of Ananthu, a 15-year-old boy who was electrocuted from an illegal power trap set for wild boars at Vazhikkadavu last week.

Priyanka Gandhi Vadra on Sunday meeting the family of Gafoor Ali who was killed in a tiger attack at Kalikavu a few weeks ago.
| Photo Credit:
SAKEER HUSSAIN

“Even our UDF cadres have to be alert to help and to impress upon authorities when such issues need urgent action, so that accidents do not happen. There is no point in blaming old laws or saying that it is somebody else’s fault,” she said.

AICC general secretaries K.C. Venugopal and Deepa Dasmunshi, UDF chairman V.D. Satheesan, Kerala Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC) president Sunny Joseph, UDF convener Adoor Prakash, AICC working committee member Ramesh Chennithala, Indian Union Muslim League district president Syed Abbasali Shihab Thangal, KPCC working president A.P. Anil Kumar, and District Congress Committee (DCC) president V.S. Joy were among those who accompanied Ms. Vadra in the roadshow.