Large heart not 56-inch chest needed to run country: Priyanka

Priyanka Vadra addressing an election campaign for her brother and Congress vice president Rahul Gandhi, in Amethi on Saturday.

Firing a fresh salvo at Narendra Modi, Priyanka Gandhi on Sunday reminded the BJP prime ministerial candidate that a “large heart”, and not a “56-inch chest”, was required to run the country.

“To run the country you don’t need a 56-inch chest. You need a large heart to run the country. A cruel force of power is not needed. You need moral strength,” Ms. Priyanka said while addressing a nukkad sabha in Rae Bareli where she is campaigning for her mother.

Mr. Modi had last year in a rally in Gorakhpur while challenging Samajwadi Party chief Mulayam Singh said that

>one requires a “56-inch chest” to transform Uttar Pradesh into Gujarat.

To run the country, Ms. Priyanka added, one needed a “strength that prepares us to even sacrifice ourselves for the sake of the nation.” She said the Congress has always kept in regard the culture and tradition of the country.

While appealing people to vote for her mother, Ms. Priyanka urged them to rise above regional issues and expand their vision.

“You should not only consider your area, or your children’s future. Think of the entire country. When you take a decision, it won’t be just for Soniaji, but for India. You decide what type of country you want,” Ms. Priyanka said.

Rae Bareli goes to the polls on April 30. Ms. Sonia, the sitting MP, who romped home by over 3 lakh votes in 2009, this time faces the challenge of the BJP’s Ajay Agarwal, a Supreme Court lawyer. In Rae Bareli, however, the debate is much about the margin of Ms. Sonia’s victory. While the BSP has fielded Ram Lakhan Pasi, the SP has not fielded a candidate in Rae Bareli and Amethi.