‘You Are Centralising Power, Not Fighting Corruption’: Priyanka Gandhi Targets Centre in Sharp Attack

Delhi: Congress MP Priyanka Gandhi Vadra on Tuesday launched a strong political offensive against the central government, accusing it of weakening grassroots democracy while repeatedly invoking her late father’s legacy for political attacks. Speaking on issues of decentralisation and rural development, she questioned the government’s commitment to empowering villages and tackling corruption.

Priyanka Gandhi said the government often claims that funds sent during earlier administrations did not fully reach the people. She countered this argument by pointing to the Panchayati Raj framework, which was designed to ensure that development money reaches villages directly and that local communities decide how resources are used. According to her, bypassing this system defeats the very purpose of decentralisation and undermines transparency.

She alleged that instead of strengthening local governance, the current approach concentrates authority at the Centre. “If power and financial control are being pulled away from villages, how can corruption be reduced?” she asked, adding that shifting decisions away from elected local bodies only distances people from governance.

Raising concerns over rural employment schemes, Priyanka Gandhi also highlighted changes in funding patterns under MGNREGA. She claimed that the Centre’s contribution to the scheme has been significantly reduced over the years, placing a heavier burden on states. According to her, this move affects timely payments and weakens a programme that millions of rural families depend on for survival.

The Congress leader accused the government of avoiding accountability while projecting itself as anti-corruption. She argued that true reform lies in empowering local institutions, ensuring adequate funding for welfare schemes, and respecting the federal structure.