Rahul Gandhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi took a swipe at the Congress for fielding Rahul Gandhi from Rae Bareli instead of Amethi, urging him not to shy away from the electoral challenge. Earlier on Friday, the Congress announced Rahul Gandhi’s candidacy from Rae Bareli while loyalist Kishori Lal Sharma was nominated from Amethi.
In a familiar jab at Rahul Gandhi, often referring to him as “Shehzada,” Modi remarked that he had already foreseen Gandhi’s defeat in Wayanad. Modi noted that following the Wayanad polling on April 26, Gandhi sought another constituency.
I had previously predicted Shehzada’s defeat in Wayanad and anticipated his search for another seat… He’s so apprehensive about Amethi that he’s now turning towards Rae Bareli. They advise everyone not to fear. Today, I also urge them, ‘Don’t be afraid, don’t run away,'” stated the Prime Minister during a rally in West Bengal’s Bardhaman-Durgapur.
Moreover, Modi also remarked that Sonia Gandhi opted for the Rajya Sabha as she didn’t have the courage to contest in the Lok Sabha elections this time. “I had previously stated in Parliament that their (Congress) top leader wouldn’t dare to contest elections and would flee. She fled to Rajasthan and secured a seat in the Rajya Sabha,” PM Modi stated.
However, Narendra Modi wasn’t the only one criticizing Rahul Gandhi for choosing Rae Bareli over Amethi. Incumbent MP from Amethi, Smriti Irani, also launched an attack on the Gandhi family. Irani asserted that the people of Amethi deserted the Gandhi family in 2019 due to the absence of the Gandhi scion from the constituency for 15 years and the lack of development.
She emphasized that significant progress has been made in the Lok Sabha constituency since she was elected. Irani further noted, “Even in Rae Bareli, the Gandhi family hasn’t served. The people of Rae Bareli are aware that the people of Amethi had sidelined them.”
In the 2019 general elections, Smriti Irani defeated Rahul Gandhi by over 55,000 votes, earning herself the nickname ‘giant killer’. Prior to this, Gandhi had represented the constituency for three consecutive terms: 2004-2009, 2009-2014, and 2014-2019.
Former Congress leader Acharya Pramod Krishnam also expressed disappointment over Rahul Gandhi’s decision to abandon Amethi, considering it unfavorable for the Congress. Krishnam remarked that Rahul Gandhi’s retreat from Amethi sends a message that someone who routinely challenged the Prime Minister and urged the Indian people not to fear is now apprehensive himself.
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Krishnam stated, that Rahul Gandhi should have contested from Amethi. His withdrawal from Amethi conveys a message that someone who used to confront PM Modi every day and encouraged the people of the country with ‘Daro Mat’ (do not be scared), is now afraid. This is regrettable for the Congress…