Thrissur: Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra on Saturday made a scathing attack on the BJP-ruled Centre accusing them of enacting laws by by-passing democratic processes and enforcing them on the people against their will. Gandhi also said that "the Prime Minister's men" "haughtily" speak of changing the Constitution of India that was "written with the blood of our freedom fighters and martyrs". She was addressing a poll rally in Chalakkudy seeking votes for UDF candidate and sitting MP Benny Behanan.

"They treat the Constitution of India as an instrument of their own greed and ambition, as if it is a piece of paper," she alleged.

She said that when she speaks of the founding principles of India being on the brink of destruction, she is told by some that a new India is being created. "This new India that is being told to us is one where force asserts itself over righteousness and laws are enacted by by-passing the democratic process and enforced upon the people against their will," she said. 

Gandhi also accused the Centre of being silent on the protests in Ladakh over the alleged Chinese encroachment there and that voices of the farmers were heard only when the elections were approaching. 

"In this new nation, voices of dissent are silenced. The government harasses, accuses and imprisons those who dare to speak against it," she alleged.

She questioned how Prime Minister Narendra Modi can claim that the grand old party and the INDIA bloc led by it have been rejected by voters in the first phase of polling in the Lok Sabha elections.

The first phase elections covering 102 seats across 21 states and Union territories were held on Friday.

"How does he know? The results are not out yet," the Congress leader asked.

She also questioned how the PM and BJP can claim that they will get over 400 seats this time.

"I do not know how they can be so confident when the results have not come. We are all working very hard," she told PTI.

The Congress leader said that wherever she goes she sees people who want change. "I am sure change will come," she said.

On being asked whether she will contest from the Raebareli Lok Sabha seat in Uttar Pradesh, the Congress leader said, "You will see in a few days". 

(With PTI inputs)