'Runaway Bride Flees From Wayanad': BJP As Rahul Gandhi Set To Retain Raebareli Seat, Priyanka To Contest Bypoll

Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge announced that Rahul Gandhi will retain the Raebareli seat, while Priyanka Gandhi Vadra will contest the Wayanad Lok Sabha bypoll.

After Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge announced on Monday Rahul Gandhi will retain the Raebareli seat, while Priyanka Gandhi Vadra will contest the Wayanad Lok Sabha bypoll, reactions started flowing in from the Bharatiya Janata Party. While BJP leader Ajay Alok took a jibe at Rahul Gandhi saying that it was interesting that the "runaway bride decided to flee from Wayanad", BJP leader Shehzad Poonawalla called it an "example of dynastic politics".

Since Rahul Gandhi won the Lok Sabha polls from both the seats, he was requird to vacate either one of the two seats.

Stating that it would be interesting to see whether Priyanka Gandhi wins Wayand bypolls, BJP leader Ajay Alok said: "It is really interesting that the runaway bride has decided to flee from Wayanad. The election is not going to be easy. We will be contesting hard, obviously the Communist party is also going to give it a good try. But if at all, Priyanka Gandhi Vadra wins from Wayanad, it will be interesting in Lok Sabha because people will question what was the intent. Was it to create an alternate leadership?" 

'Rahul Gandhi Shirks Responsibilities'

In-charge of BJP's National Information & Technology, Amit Malviya slammed Rahul Gandhi for shirking responsibilities for the third time, adding that he still hadn't decided if he would be the LoP.

"Third Time Fail Rahul Gandhi is someone, who shirks responsibilities. He still hasn’t decided if he will be the LoP. Congress insists it is his position to decline. Earlier, he abandoned Amethi and now, despite being elected twice from Wayanad, has decided to stick with RaeBareli. In all this, Priyanka Vadra is being scapegoated," Malviya said, adding that "she was clearly the lesser of the two siblings".

 Meanwhile, BJP leader Shehzad Poonawalla called the situation an "example of dynastic politics", adding "Congress is not a party, but a family company and this has been proved today. Their mother (Sonia Gandhi) will be in Rajya Sabha, the son (Rahul Gandhi) will be in Lok Sabha and Priyanka Gandhi will also be in the House. This is an example of dynastic politics. But this also shows Rahul Gandhi knows that he has won some seats in Uttar Pradesh, but going for by-elections could be dangerous for him. The BJP has strengthened itself in UP and they don't want to take any risk there." 

'What About The People Of Wayanad?'

BJP leader Nalin Kohli suggested that Rahul Gandhi deceived the people of Wayanad as they elected him for the second time and he did not disclose that he would be contesting from Raebareli as well.

"Rahul Gandhi has decided to be an MP from Raebareli and he has decided to leave Wayanad. Two things become clear. First, they wish to take family politics from Wayanad to Raebareli. Additionally, what about the people of Wayanad? Against all odds, they elected Rahul Gandhi for the second time. But he never disclosed to them that he would be contesting from another seat and he would leave Wayanad," Kohli said.