New Delhi: Union Minister and Amethi MP Smriti Irani on Monday leveled serious allegations against Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, saying that he sought support from the banned Popular Front of India (PFI) to contest the Lok Sabha elections from Kerala's Wayanad constituency. Irani, who is seeking re-election from Amethi, criticised Gandhi for allegedly failing to deliver development in his former constituency despite representing it for 15 years.
"We have received information that Rahul Gandhi took the support of the terrorist organisation PFI to contest the elections in Wayanad", PTI quoted Smriti as saying. Irani further alleged that a charge sheet filed against the PFI indicated the outfit's purported listing of the number of Hindus to be killed in every district. She demanded that Rahul Gandhi provide clarification to the people of Amethi regarding his alleged collaboration with such an organisation for contesting the Wayanad election.
"I was in Wayanad a few days ago and I came to know that Rahul Gandhi has declared Wayanad as his family. It is said that people change colours. For the first time, it was seen that people change their families also", Irani remarked.
Later, Smriti Irani was slated to participate in various programs organised in the Salon Assembly segment of the Amethi parliamentary constituency. Slamming Rahul Gandhi, the BJP leader highlighted statements made by a Congress leader in Wayanad, suggesting that Gandhi chose the seat due to perceived loyalty among its people. Irani questioned the loyalty of the Amethi constituency, which she claims endured 15 years of representation by an MP who allegedly failed to deliver, reported PTI.
She pointed out that during 10 of those years, Sonia Gandhi's government was in power at the Centre, and the SP held power in the state, yet little was accomplished for Amethi. With the Modi government now in office and Yogi Adityanath's administration in Uttar Pradesh, Irani questioned what Rahul Gandhi could achieve for Amethi. She concluded by stating that BJP workers are aware of the likelihood of the Gandhi family contesting from Amethi again.
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"The question is that Narendra Modi sends rations to 19 lakh citizens in the Amethi Lok Sabha constituency but the Gandhi family opposes Narendra Modi. What is the message of the Gandhi family to the 19 lakh people who receive government rations", she asked.
Smriti Irani continued her attack on the Gandhi family, highlighting PM Modi's initiative to provide Rs 6,000 annually to 4,20,000 farmers in the Amethi Lok Sabha constituency, totaling Rs 977 crore disbursed so far. She questioned the response of the Gandhi family to this initiative.
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On the Congress's delay in announcing candidates for the Raebareli and Amethi Lok Sabha seats, Irani suggested internal strife within the party. She disclosed that there is a faction in the Congress advocating for Rahul Gandhi's removal from leadership and the appointment of a woman leader instead.
"I want to assure that camp that you will see Rahul Gandhi losing again in Amethi and you can stake your claim for the leadership of the Congress", the BJP leader said. Irani further added, "Amethi will fight for its honour against Rahul Gandhi, Amethi will fight for its protection against Rahul Gandhi, who abandoned Amethi... The one who abandoned Amethi will not be able to flourish in Amethi".
Smriti Irani commented on Robert Vadra's purported interest in contesting from Amethi, noting internal discord within the Congress party. She characterised the situation as "Congress versus Congress" within the party.
Regarding senior opposition leaders paying tribute to Mukhtar Ansari, a gangster-turned-politician who recently passed away, Irani criticised the gesture, citing leaders like Rahul Gandhi allegedly seeking support from a terror organisation for their election campaigns.
She highlighted the Union Ministry of Home Affairs' declaration of the Popular Front of India (PFI) as an unlawful association under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act. Irani concluded by mentioning that polling in Amethi is scheduled for the fifth phase of the Lok Sabha elections on May 20.