New Delhi (Sputnik): A star campaigner of India's main opposition party, the Indian National Congress, Priyanka Gandhi, has stirred controversy by allegedly trying her hand at snake handling during campaigning in the ongoing parliamentary elections.
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She was interacting with members of a snake charmer community in her Raebareili constituency in the northern Indian state of Uttar Pradesh when the incident apparently took place.
#WATCH Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, Congress General Secretary for Uttar Pradesh (East) meets snake charmers in Raebareli, holds snakes in hands. pic.twitter.com/uTY0R2BtEP
— ANI UP (@ANINewsUP) May 2, 2019
Animal Welfare Board official Jayprakash Saxena files complaint with Raebareli District Magistrate over Priyanka Gandhi Vadra playing with snakes earlier today. Complaint filed under The Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act and The Wildlife Protection Act pic.twitter.com/TR6V6zIqzu
— ANI UP (@ANINewsUP) May 2, 2019
Priyanka Gandhi was recently appointed the party's general secretary, and she is the daughter of late former Indian Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi. She is also the sister of Congress national president Rahul Gandhi.
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The ongoing Indian parliamentary elections are being held in seven phases from 11 April and ending on 19 May. Four phases have already concluded and the fifth-phase is scheduled on 6 May. The final results will be announced on 23 May.