Priyanka attacks BJP over plight of ‘shiksha mitras’ in Uttar Pradesh

NEW DELHI/MUZAFFARNAGAR: Congress general secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra Monday attacked the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) over the plight of “shiksha mitras” or contractual teachers in Uttar Pradesh, alleging the ruling party leaders are busy “marketing T-shirts” instead of addressing issues concerning the masses.

Hundreds of “shiksha mitras” in the state have been protesting and pressing for better pay and appointment as assistant teachers.

“The hard work of Uttar Pradesh’s ‘shiksha mitras’ is insulted everyday. Scores of sufferers committed suicide. Those who took to the streets to protest were beaten with lathis, National Security Act was registered against them,” the AICC incharge Uttar Pradesh East tweeted.

“BJP leaders are busy marketing T-shirts, I wish they had paid attention to those suffering,” she said. Meanwhile, Congress officials said Priyanka Gandhi will undertake a train journey from Delhi to Faizabad on March 27.

The move comes days after she took a boat ride from Prayagraj to Varanasi as part of her election campaign.

She will hold a road show in Ayodhya, though it is not clear yet whether she will visit any religious place in the holy city. Secretary, Uttar Pradesh Congress Committee, Rajendra Pratap Singh told news agency PTI, “Priyankaji will take the Kaifiyat Express from Delhi for Faizabad. The train is expected to arrive here at 5.30am.”

After a brief stay at a hotel near the Faizabad railway station, she will hold a road show in Ayodhya at 10 am, Singh said.