Former Congress leader Acharya Pramod Krishnam has seemingly started a Hindu-Muslim debate over the Congress's decision to field Priyanka Gandhi from Kerala's Wayanad after Rahul Gandhi vacates the seat. Rahul Gandhi, who won the Lok Sabha seats of Wayanad and Raebareli in Uttar Pradesh, has decided to stick to the family bastion in the north. Due to this, the Congress decided to introduce Priyanka Gandhi to electoral politics with a byelection in Wayanad.
Before the elections, Rahul Gandhi said that he would contest the Wayanad seat as he could not abandon the people who stood by him in times of crisis. He contested the Raebareli seat after Congress workers demanded that he fight the polls from his mother Sonia Gandhi's bastion.
Reacting to the decision, Acharya Pramod Krishnam said, "Priyanka Gandhi is the most popular face in the Congress. An attempt has been made to reduce her stature by fielding byelection. By making Priyanka Gandhi contest from Wayanad, the Congress has once again proved that it does not trust Hindus." Earlier, the BJP targeted the Congress's decision, calling Rahul Gandhi a "runaway bride".
BJP's 'Runaway Bride' Jibe
BJP spokesperson Shehzad Poonawalla said that the Congress's decision to field Priyanka from Wayanad proved that it "is not a political party but a family company".
Taking a dig at Rahul Gandhi, BJP leader Ajay Alok said "the runaway bride has decided to flee from Wayanad". He said the BJP will contest the Wayanad seat with all its strength and so will the Left. He also questioned the Congress's "need to create an alternate leadership".
Won't Let Wayanad Feel Rahul's Absence: Priyanka Gandhi
Priyanka Gandhi assured the people of Wayanad that she will not let them miss Rahul Gandhi. She said, "I will not let Wayanad feel the absence of Rahul Gandhi. I will work hard, try my best to make everyone happy in Wayanad and be a good representative."