'If Priyanka Contested In Varanasi, Modi Would Have Lost By 2-3 Lakh Votes': Rahul Gandhi In Raebareli

In Raebareli, Rahul Gandhi remarked that if his sister, Priyanka Gandhi, contested the Lok Sabha elections from Varanasi, PM Narendra Modi would have lost the seat by two to three lakh votes.

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi asserted on Tuesday that had his sister, Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, contested the Lok Sabha elections from Varanasi, Prime Minister Narendra Modi would have lost by two to three lakh votes. Addressing a thanksgiving meeting in his Lok Sabha constituency Raebareli, Rahul Gandhi highlighted the unified efforts of the I.N.D.I.A. coalition to diminish the BJP-led NDA's strength in Parliament.

The Raebareli and Wayanad MP-elect emphasised that he and other Congress parliamentarians would remain humble despite the election results, focusing on serving the masses. Criticising Modi, he accused the Prime Minister of neglecting ordinary citizens while favouring top industrialists during the Ram temple consecration ceremony. "The masses taught them a lesson by ensuring the BJP's defeat in Ayodhya," he remarked.

"BJP lost the Ayodhya seat. Although a Ram temple was built there, farmers, labourers, the poor, Dalits, and backward classes were not present at its inauguration. Tribal President was told not to come. Adani, Ambani, and many billionaires, along with Bollywood and the cricket team, were there, but no Dalit individual was seen. Hence, the people of Ayodhya have responded to the BJP," Rahul Gandhi stated.

Referring to Varanasi, he made a big claim as he said, "The Prime Minister narrowly escaped from Varanasi. I am telling you and my sister that had she contested in Varanasi, the Prime Minister would have lost by 2-3 lakh votes. This is not arrogance; it is a message from the people of India that they reject his politics. People say they are against hatred and violence and want love and progress. They oppose unemployment and the hatred and violence spread over the last ten years."

Sharing his views on the Lok Sabha results which saw the BJP return to power albiet with the help of NDA partners, the former Congress President said, "Every state in the country united in this election - Tamil Nadu, Uttar Pradesh, Manipur, Rajasthan, Karnataka, Telangana - because the soul of the country realised that Narendra Modi and Amit Shah were trying to undermine India's Constitution. They were meddling with the very foundation of India, so the whole country stood together. In 2014, we saw for the first time a Prime Minister openly engaging in politics of violence and hatred, which is against India's culture and religions. I am proud that Raebareli, Amethi, and Uttar Pradesh have shown the way. The people of Uttar Pradesh have voted against hatred, violence, and arrogance."

"In 2014, politics changed further. We saw for the first time that politics was being conducted for 20-15 people. They spread hatred among the people, and the entire benefit went to 2-3 billionaires. Farmers, labourers, unemployed youths, mothers, and sisters voted against this politics," he added.

He emphasised the unity between the Congress and the Samajwadi Party saying, "The Congress party fought unitedly in Raebareli, Amethi, Uttar Pradesh, and across India. In Uttar Pradesh, every worker of the Samajwadi Party fought the election alongside Congress workers."

Indians Sent A Message That They Do Not Like Narendra Modi's Vision: Rahul Gandhi

Hitting out at PM Modi's photo bowing to the Constitution, Rahul said, "You must have seen the photo of Narendra Modi holding the Constitution to his forehead. This was made possible by the people. The country's Prime Minister was sent a message by the people that tampering with the Constitution would not be tolerated."

"This is just the beginning. India has sent a message that they do not like Narendra Modi's vision. We reject hatred and violence. We want a Mohabbat ki dukaan (shop of love) and a new vision. If we are to give a new vision to the country, it must start from Uttar Pradesh. Uttar Pradesh has sent a message that we want the I.N.D.I.A. alliance in both the state and the country," he remarked, emphasising UP's importance in national politics being the state which sends the highest Lok Sabha MPs to the Parliament.

Rahul Gandhi On Opposition's Course Ahead In Parliament: ‘We Will Do Our Utmost To Cancel Agniveer Scheme’

The Congress leader also revealed the course ahead for the opposition in Lok Sabha where he emphasised the need for raising people's issues. He also promised that the Opposition would try its best to cancel the much-debated Agnipath recruitment scheme.

"I want the real issues to be raised in the future: inflation, farmers' issues, unemployment, and workers' issues. We need politics that helps the poor. Our army is now in Parliament. This time, we will do our utmost to cancel the Agniveer scheme from the opposition benches. The strength you have given us is not just a political decision; it is a decision of love, and I will never forget it," he said.

"I want to tell Amethi that what will be done for Raebareli will also be done for Amethi," he added.

Meanwhile, in her brief speech, Congress General Secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra thanked the people of Amethi and Raebareli for ensuring the party's victory in these constituencies.

"We have achieved historic wins in Amethi and Raebareli. I am proud that the people here have sent a message across the country that we want sincere and dedicated politics. We are grateful to you. We will work with full devotion and dedication for you. I thank all the leaders and workers of Congress and the Samajwadi Party for this victory," she said.