Recently, Union Minister and BJP leader Smriti Irani give response to Rahul Gandhi’s decision not to contest from the Amethi Lok Sabha seat. Irani expressed her view that Gandhi’s choice was a significant acknowledgment of her importance within the political landscape, particularly for the Congress party.
She remarked that for the Congress to admit that their focus and strategy were centered around her was a considerable compliment.
Irani’s comments were prompted by a tweet from senior Congress leader Jairam Ramesh, who suggested that Irani’s relevance was solely tied to contesting elections against Rahul Gandhi in Amethi.
Ramesh stated that with Gandhi opting to contest from Raebareli instead, Irani’s political significance diminishes. He urged Irani to shift her attention to addressing local development issues such as closed hospitals and steel plants.
In response to Ramesh’s tweet, Irani highlighted the historical significance of the Gandhi family relinquishing Amethi, considering it a defeat. She recalled Gandhi’s previous move to contest from Wayanad in the 2019 elections, further emphasizing the symbolic weight of his departure from Amethi.
Irani criticized Gandhi for not informing the people of Wayanad about his intention to contest from another seat.
When questioned about her contributions to Amethi over the past five years, Irani asserted that her efforts were evident through various developmental initiatives. She cited accomplishments such as the provision of housing, toilets, water connections, gas connections, and electricity to numerous households, with assistance from Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s government.
Irani’s remarks came shortly after Rahul Gandhi filed his nomination from the Raebareli Lok Sabha seat, ending speculation about a potential electoral showdown with Irani in Amethi.
Meanwhile, Congress loyalist KL Sharma filed his nomination from the Amethi seat, which is scheduled for polling in the fifth phase on May 20.
Rahul Gandhi, a three-time MP from Amethi, faced defeat at the hands of Smriti Irani in the 2019 Lok Sabha elections by a significant margin of over 55,000 votes, earning Irani the moniker of a “giant killer.”
The developments surrounding Gandhi’s decision and Irani’s response add a new chapter to the political dynamics of the region, setting the stage for an intriguing electoral contest in Amethi.
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