NEW DELHI: As the Congress delays its candidate announcement in Uttar Pradesh’s Amethi, incumbent BJP MP Smriti Irani has targeted Rahul Gandhi and his brother-in-law Robert Vadra. Irani said that in her five years in office, she accomplished more for the constituency than Gandhi did in his 15-year tenure.
These comments came after speculation stirred by Vadra’s potential candidacy for the Amethi seat, traditionally held by the Congress and won by Irani in 2019.Amethi is scheduled to vote on May 20 during the fifth phase of the Lok Sabha polls.
In a jocular tone, Irani remarked to a gathering in Amethi, ‘Jijaji ki nazar hai, saale sahab kya karenge. (brother-in-law is eyeing the seat, what will he (Rahul Gandhi) do?) There was a time when people travelling in buses would leave their handkerchief to mark their seat so that no one sits on it. Rahul Gandhi will also come to mark his seat with a handkerchief because his brother-in-law is eyeing this seat.’
“Has this ever happened? Just 27 days left for the election, yet the Congress has not announced its candidate. Such arrogance. What I could achieve in five years for Amethi, Rahul Gandhi could not accomplish in 15,” Irani added.
Before her victory over Rahul in the 2019 election, he had held the Amethi seat for three consecutive terms. Historically, the seat has been represented by his parents Sonia Gandhi and Rajiv Gandhi, as well as his late uncle Sanjay Gandhi, and was regarded as a Congress stronghold.
Gandhi, who is currently contesting from Kerala’s Wayanad, was recently asked if he would also be the Congress candidate in Amethi. “I will do whatever the party orders me,” he replied.
Earlier, Vadra sparked speculation by stating that the people of Amethi believe that if he contests there, “they’ll have the option of correcting their mistake of electing Smritiji”. “I am sure they will ensure my victory by a huge margin if I contest,” he expressed.
Wayanad is set to vote on April 26, and the deadline for filing nominations for the Amethi Lok Sabha seat is May 3. This allows Gandhi to announce his nomination after the polling in Wayanad.
Irani’s campaign is currently in full swing, with her alleging that Gandhi will arrive in Amethi after April 26 and attempt to sow division among people on the basis of caste.
“After the Wayanad voting on April 26, Rahul Gandhi will visit here to claim that Amethi is his family’s domain and fuel caste-based tensions. Despite the Congress party declining the invitation for the Ayodhya Ram Temple consecration ceremony, Rahul Gandhi will be observed visiting temples in Amethi. Thus, it’s crucial to remain vigilant and cautious,” she stated during a local gathering.
Earlier this January, key Congress figures had abstained from attending the Ram Temple’s consecration ceremony in Ayodhya, citing the BJP’s politicization of the project.
Irani has accused Gandhi of neglecting the issues of Amethi in Parliament, asserting that the people of the constituency didn’t even have access to drinking water during his tenure as MP.
These comments came after speculation stirred by Vadra’s potential candidacy for the Amethi seat, traditionally held by the Congress and won by Irani in 2019.Amethi is scheduled to vote on May 20 during the fifth phase of the Lok Sabha polls.
In a jocular tone, Irani remarked to a gathering in Amethi, ‘Jijaji ki nazar hai, saale sahab kya karenge. (brother-in-law is eyeing the seat, what will he (Rahul Gandhi) do?) There was a time when people travelling in buses would leave their handkerchief to mark their seat so that no one sits on it. Rahul Gandhi will also come to mark his seat with a handkerchief because his brother-in-law is eyeing this seat.’
“Has this ever happened? Just 27 days left for the election, yet the Congress has not announced its candidate. Such arrogance. What I could achieve in five years for Amethi, Rahul Gandhi could not accomplish in 15,” Irani added.
Before her victory over Rahul in the 2019 election, he had held the Amethi seat for three consecutive terms. Historically, the seat has been represented by his parents Sonia Gandhi and Rajiv Gandhi, as well as his late uncle Sanjay Gandhi, and was regarded as a Congress stronghold.
Gandhi, who is currently contesting from Kerala’s Wayanad, was recently asked if he would also be the Congress candidate in Amethi. “I will do whatever the party orders me,” he replied.
Earlier, Vadra sparked speculation by stating that the people of Amethi believe that if he contests there, “they’ll have the option of correcting their mistake of electing Smritiji”. “I am sure they will ensure my victory by a huge margin if I contest,” he expressed.
Wayanad is set to vote on April 26, and the deadline for filing nominations for the Amethi Lok Sabha seat is May 3. This allows Gandhi to announce his nomination after the polling in Wayanad.
Irani’s campaign is currently in full swing, with her alleging that Gandhi will arrive in Amethi after April 26 and attempt to sow division among people on the basis of caste.
“After the Wayanad voting on April 26, Rahul Gandhi will visit here to claim that Amethi is his family’s domain and fuel caste-based tensions. Despite the Congress party declining the invitation for the Ayodhya Ram Temple consecration ceremony, Rahul Gandhi will be observed visiting temples in Amethi. Thus, it’s crucial to remain vigilant and cautious,” she stated during a local gathering.
Earlier this January, key Congress figures had abstained from attending the Ram Temple’s consecration ceremony in Ayodhya, citing the BJP’s politicization of the project.
Irani has accused Gandhi of neglecting the issues of Amethi in Parliament, asserting that the people of the constituency didn’t even have access to drinking water during his tenure as MP.
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