Throw out those who tap women's phones, Priyanka Gandhi takes a dig at Narendra Modi

Rae Bareli, Uttar Pradesh: Seeking to corner Narendra Modi, Priyanka Gandhi on Wednesday raked up the "snoopgate" controversy surrounding him and questioned his credentials of talking about empowering women.

Campaigning for her mother and Congress President Sonia Gandhi in this constituency of Uttar Pradesh, she asked the electorate not to vote for a person who believes in concentrating all powers with himself and exhorted them to reject divisive politics.

Taking on Modi without mentioning his name, she said, "If you want to empower women, how will you do that? You empower us by listening to phone conversations in closed rooms?"

She was clearly referring to the alleged snooping of a woman in Gujarat ostensibly on orders from Modi. "If there are leaders who are disrespecting women, throw them out of your homes," the Congress' star campaigner told gathering here.

Asserting that empowerment is a right of women, she said nobody should think that it was some kind of favour towards the fair sex which comprises half the population.

"If we talk about women empowerment, we need to recognize the strength of a woman, we need to talk genuinely about women empowerment, without being condescending towards women," she said.

She emphasised that women, besides being mother, daughter, wife and sister, had an independent identity which needs to be respected.

Accusing BJP of double standard on the issue of women empowerment, Priyanka said if they are concerned about it, then they should empower them by giving reservation.

"But what have you been doing for us? This is a big issue before the voters in this election. What kind of politics are doing? Is this a constructive one in strengthening the nation," she asked.