Priyanka Gandhi pitches for girl power: ‘Congress to reserve 40% seats for women in 2022 Uttar Pradesh polls’

“I urge women to come into politics and stand with me shoulder to shoulder. Together, we will change the politics of this country and this state,” Priyanka Gandhi Vadra said.

Congress general secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra on Tuesday pitched for more women power and announced that 40% of the party's tickets for the upcoming assembly elections in Uttar Pradesh will go to women.

“No one is here to protect you. Only those who talk about protecting you are protected, but not you," she said, appealing for more women in politics.

“Women can bring about change and they need to step forward. This decision is for the girls of Uttar Pradesh… ... This decision is for women who want change," said Gandhi Vadra at a press conference today.

“I urge women to come into politics and stand with me shoulder to shoulder. Together, we will change the politics of this country and this state. The government thinks Rs 2,000 and gas cylinder makes everything okay… We will get strong women candidates and we will support them. If not now, then they will become stronger by the next election," she added.

These tickets will be given on the basis of merit and not just on the basis of caste or religion," the Congress leader said.

Applications for the same will remain open for women till November 15, 2021.

Traditionally, caste has played a major role in elections in Uttar Pradesh. For the elections due next year, it is likely to be on traditional lines, with the BJP seen as trying to placate the Brahmins.

The so-called upper caste has been miffed with the selection of Yogi Adityanath, a Rajput, for the top post.

Amid this, the Congress is seen as highlighting the gender issue in a state where multiple crimes against women have been reported in the last few years. Some of these cases -- including the gangrape of a Dalit woman in Hathras, and the case in Unnao -- made headlines and evoked outrage across the country.

Berating the Yogi Adityanath government over women’s safety in the state, Priyanka also referred to the recent incident in Lakhimpur Kheri where an SUV belonging to Union minister Ajay Mishra Teni’s son ran over four farmers.