Daijiworld Media Network – New Delhi
New Delhi, Dec 12: Senior Congress leader Renuka Chowdhury on Thursday dismissed comparisons between Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, insisting that the siblings are “like apples and oranges” whose speaking styles are entirely different.
In an exclusive conversation with NDTV’s Padmaja Joshi, Chowdhury said that the recent back-to-back Lok Sabha speeches by the two leaders were being unfairly pitted against each other. She argued that both addressed different subjects, making any comparison “psychobabble”, though people were free to hold their opinions.
“Priyanka Gandhi is very good, hands-on. She spoke what she had to. Rahul spoke on a different subject, and his style is different,” said Chowdhury, maintaining that both leaders brought their own strengths to the House. “These are oranges and apples and one can’t compare. Different narratives need to be told.”
She added that public expectations often tend to be stereotypical. “We expect a certain response in a certain way, but it doesn’t work like that. Different people address things differently. Each one stood their ground and raised what was imperative,” she noted.
Refusing to pick who is the better speaker, Chowdhury reiterated that the two leaders cannot be measured on the same scale.
Priyanka Gandhi Vadra made an impactful intervention on Monday during the Vande Mataram discussion, earning praise across the party. Her sharp rebuttal to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and BJP leaders — especially her correction of the PM’s selective quoting of Jawaharlal Nehru — drew wide attention. Rahul Gandhi himself reacted with a brief endorsement: “Priyanka ka bhashan suno.”
She also urged the BJP to list all their criticisms of Nehru, debate them once, and move on, saying Parliament’s time must be used for real public issues.
On Tuesday, during the debate on electoral reforms, Rahul launched a fierce attack alleging that the BJP and the Election Commission were “colluding to destroy” democracy and “rob people of their voice.”