Union minister Smriti Irani criticized Congress leader Rahul Gandhi and his brother-in-law Robert Vadra, asserting that she achieved more for the Amethi constituency in five years than Gandhi did in 15. In the weeks leading up to the Lok Sabha elections, Robert Vadra has hinted at running as the Congress candidate from the Amethi seat, though the party has yet to declare its candidate.
During a public gathering in Amethi, Smriti Irani remarked, “Jijaji ki nazar hain, saale sahab kya karenge. (Brother-in-law is eyeing the seat; what will Mr Gandhi do?)” She added that Gandhi might come to Amethi to “mark his seat with a handkerchief” because Vadra has his sights set on the constituency.
Irani defeated Gandhi in Amethi during the 2019 Lok Sabha elections, breaking Congress’s 15-year stronghold on the seat. Amethi will vote in the fifth phase of the Lok Sabha elections on May 20.
Irani questioned Congress’s delay in announcing its candidate, stating, “Has this ever happened? Just 27 days left for the election, but Congress has not announced its candidate. Such arrogance. What I could do in five years, Rahul Gandhi could not do in 15.”
Rahul Gandhi had previously represented Amethi three times in a row. His family, including his parents Sonia Gandhi and Rajiv Gandhi, as well as his uncle Sanjay Gandhi, have historically represented the constituency.
The former Congress president has already announced his candidacy from the Wayanad seat in Kerala. When asked whether he would contest Amethi in this election, Gandhi stated he would follow the party’s decision.
Meanwhile, Robert Vadra has given multiple hints at running as the Congress candidate from Amethi. He claims that the people of Amethi want him to represent them and that they will ensure his victory by a large margin if he runs for election.
