My father inherited martyrdom, not wealth: Priyanka Gandhi retorts to PM Modi’s jibe

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In a passionate rebuttal to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s recent remarks on dynastic politics and inheritance tax, Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra asserted on Thursday that her father, former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi, inherited martyrdom, not wealth, from his mother.

She criticized Modi’s understanding of such sentiments, suggesting he lacked the comprehension to grasp the deeper significance.

Addressing a rally in Morena, Madhya Pradesh, Priyanka Gandhi responded directly to Modi’s comments made last week. The Prime Minister had claimed that Rajiv Gandhi, upon assuming office, abolished inheritance tax to prevent taxation on the wealth he had received from his mother.

Priyanka Gandhi vehemently countered this narrative, declaring, “When Modi-ji stands on the dais and calls my father a traitor, when he says he changed a law to take his inheritance from his mother…he would not understand that my father did not get any wealth by way inheritance, he only got the thoughts of martyrdom.” Her remarks were met with fervent applause from the gathered crowd.

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Reflecting on her personal experience, she shared a poignant account of her father’s legacy. “At the age of 19, when I brought home the mangled remains of my father, I was upset with this country. I thought, ‘I had sent my father. It was your job to ensure his safety. I placed him in your care, but you returned me his remains wrapped in the national flag’. I had misgivings. I know what is the meaning of martyrdom. Today I am 52 and this is the first time I’m talking about it in public.”

Priyanka Gandhi emphasized that Rajiv Gandhi’s contribution to the nation was not defined by material inheritance but by the ideals of service and sacrifice.

The rally in Morena resonated with Priyanka Gandhi’s impassioned words, as she sought to reclaim her father’s legacy from what she perceived as mischaracterizations by political opponents. Her speech sought to elevate Rajiv Gandhi’s memory beyond partisan rhetoric, focusing instead on his enduring influence as a symbol of selflessness and commitment to the nation.