'Rahul Gandhi Welcomed By Empty Streets In Amethi': Smriti Irani On Congress MP's Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra

As Rahul Gandhi-led Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra entered Amethi today, MP Smriti Irani claimed that the Congress leader was "welcomed by empty streets".

File photo of Union Minister Smriti Irani and Congress leader Rahul Gandhi ( Image Source :PTI )

New Delhi: Union Minister and BJP MP from Amethi, Smriti Irani is on a four-day visit to her constituency on the same day as Congress leader Rahul Gandhi-led Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra entered the area. Hitting out at the Gandhi scion, she claimed that the Congress march was "welcomed by empty streets".

While speaking to reporters, she took a dig at Rahul Gandhi, saying, "Amethi has received an investment of Rs 6523 crore in the Investors Summit... The anger of the people of Amethi against the Gandhi family is clearly visible...Today when he (Rahul Gandhi) arrived, he was welcomed by empty streets.. In Amethi, I fought against a candidate who had the support of many people...Empty streets were showing that they have nothing to do with the Gandhi Family..."

#WATCH | Uttar Pradesh: Union Minister and BJP MP from Amethi, Smriti Irani says, "Amethi has received an investment of Rs 6523 crore in the Investors Summit... The anger of the people of Amethi against the Gandhi family is clearly visible...Today when he (Rahul Gandhi) arrived,… pic.twitter.com/2EWS5eNczl

— ANI (@ANI) February 19, 2024

According to PTI, Smriti threw a challenge to Rahul Gandhi saying, "I dare him (Rahul) to contest from Amethi alone in the Lok Sabha elections."

She went on saying, "Ram Lalla's invitation was rejected by him and his family. Amethi is distressed due to this also", as per PTI.

Rahul Gandhi-Led Bharat Jodo Yatra Enters In Amethi 

Rahul Gandhi-led Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra entered Amethi today, where he is set to hold a road show and public meeting in the Uttar Pradesh town.  Gandhi had represented Amethi in the Lok Sabha for 15 years before he was defeated by Irani in the 2019 Lok Sabha elections.

This will likely mark the second occasion since 2019 when both leaders are present in Amethi simultaneously. Their previous concurrent visit occurred in February 2022 when they attended separate campaign events in the lead-up to the assembly polls.

Earlier in the day, ending skepticism over Samajwadi Party (SP) participating in Congress leader Rahul Gandhi's Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra in Uttar Pradesh's Amethi and Raebareli, Akhilesh Yadav stated that his party would join the yatra only after seat distribution is done, news agency ANI reported.