Reacting to an alleged misogynistic remark by Uttar Pradesh Congress leader Ajay Rai, Union minister Smriti Irani challenged Rahul Gandhi to contest the Amethi seat in the 2024 election against her. “I heard that Rahul Gandhiji, has announced his intent to contest Amethi in 2024 through a local leader in an indecent manner,” she tweeted.
Irani was reacting to Ajai Rai’s remark that she only comes to her constituency Amethi to show "latkas" and "jhatkas" [dance], a veiled reference to Smriti Irani’s silver screen and modelling careers.
Taunting the Gandhi scion, Smriti Irani asked if he would “run away to another seat”. “So, can I take it for sure that you will contest from Amethi? Will you not run to the second seat? Aren't you afraid,” her tweet in Hindi read. Rahul Gandhi, who lost the Gandhi family bastion — Amethi — to Smriti Irani in 2019, had fought from Wayanad in Kerala as well and eventually won the constituency.
Smriti Irani slammed Rai’s remark and said: “You & Mummy ji need to get your mysoginistic goons a new speechwriter.”
UP BJP spokesperson Anand Dubey also criticised the Congress for the remark and said: “Such a remark from a leader of the party, which gave a woman Prime Minister to the nation is shameful. The language used by the Congress leaders has always been anti-women.”
Rai, while answering a question on whether Rahul Gandhi will contest the 2024 Lok Sabha elections from Amethi, Rai said, "It (Amethi) has been the seat of the Gandhi family. Rahulji has been the Lok Sabha MP from there, so have been Rajiv (Gandhi)ji and Sanjay (Gandhi)ji, and they have served it." Currently, Amethi is represented in Lok Sabha by Union Minister for Women and Child Development Irani.
"Most of the factories in Amethi are on the verge of closure. Half of the factories in Jagdishpur industrial area are lying shut. Smriti Irani only comes, shows 'latka-jhatka', and leaves," Rai said.
He stressed that Amethi seat is of the Gandhi family, and "it will remain so”. “It is the demand of the party workers that Rahul Gandhi contest the 2024 Lok Sabha polls from Amethi," Rai said.