Does UP need to adopt an outsider for development: Priyanka takes jibe on Modi

RAE BARELI: Attacking Prime Minister Narendra Modi for his "adopted son" remark, Priyanka Gandhi Vadra on Friday said Uttar Pradesh doesn't need an outsider for development even as the Congress' star campaigner questioned why the state would need an 'adopted son' when it has own sons. Hit out at Modi for 'adopted son' remark "The Prime Minister claimed that UP has adopted him. But does UP need an outsider for the development? You have two such youth in Rahulji and Akhileshji before you who have UP in their hearts and mind," Priyanka told the gathering at the public meeting which was addressed by her following her brother and Congress Vice President Rahul Gandhi.. Every single youth of the state can become a leader In her brief but impassioned speech, she said, "No outside leader is required. Every single youth of the state can become a leader.... Every single youth here will work for UP and make the state progress by leaps and bounds. This is the wish of Rahulji and Akhileshji." Making an appeal to the voters, she said, "Please ensure the alliance's victory." Did you develop Varanasi? Priyanka questioned PM Priyanka, during a rally in the family pocket borough of Rae Bareli, accused PM Modi of doing nothing for his constituency Varanasi. "Modi ji has done nothing for his constituency. You must identify those who want to work for you," she said. Relationships don't develop just by talking but by nurturing: Rahul Gandhi "He (Modi) makes relationships wherever he goes...He went to Varanasi and termed Ganga as his mother and said he was the son of Varanasi...In 2014 Lok Sabha polls, he promised to change Varanasi," Rahul said. "Modiji, rishtey bolney sey nahin, nibhaney sey bante hain (relationships are not developed just by talking but by nurturing)," Rahul said. Lalu taunts Modi over 'adopted son' remark RJD chief Lalu Prasad attacked Prime Minister Narendra Modi by saying that if he is the adopted son of Uttar Pradesh, he should reveal who is his father. "Agar PM Modi UP ke daattak putra hai, to pita kaun hai? (If Prime Minister Modi is the adopted son of UP, then who is the father?)" Lalu taunted Modi while speaking to media here. He said, "Rishta jodne se koi chunao jeet jayega, aisa nahi hota hai. (By creating artificial relationships, one will not win the polls)." Priyanka Gandhi played major role in SP-Congress alliance Congress has credited Priyanka with playing a pivotal role in rescuing the alliance with the Samajwadi Party when it was on the verge of collapse. Till now, her role had been confined to strategy and backroom talks from her brother's home in New Delhi. Congress leaders say she is unlikely to go beyond mother Sonia Gandhi's Raebareli and Rahul's Amethi constituencies. Congress President Sonia Gandhi represents Rae Bareli in the Lok Sabha, while Rahul is MP from neighbouring Amethi. Assembly constituencies under Amethi and Rae Bareli go to polls in the 4th and 5th phase of polling in the state on February 23 and 27. Congress will be contesting in a total of 105 seats in UP, with its ally Samajwadi Party contesting from 298 out of a total of 403 seats. (With inputs from PTI)