The Amethi Lok Sabha constituency in Uttar Pradesh is gearing up for a dramatic political face-off, as Union Minister and MP Smriti Irani has thrown down the gauntlet to Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, challenging him to contest from his former stronghold.
In 2019, Smriti Irani defeated Rahul Gandhi, ending his 15-year reign in Amethi, but he won from the other constituency Wayanad in Kerala.
Irani minced no words, accusing the Wayanad MP of neglecting Amethi and emphasised that not only did he reject an invitation to the Ram Mandir event, but his family”s historical ties with Amethi seemed strained, leaving the constituency disillusioned.
“Amethi”s former MP insulted the people of Amethi in Wayanad. Amethi was distressed due to this. Ram Lalla”s invitation was rejected by him and his family. Amethi is distressed due to this also,” she said, adding, “I dare him (Rahul) to contest from Amethi alone in the Lok Sabha elections”.
On Smriti Irani’s dare, Congress leader Jairam Ramesh said that it’s her right to challenge an opponent and that Rahul Gandhi will be back in Amethi. “CEC, Rahul Gandhi will take this decision (to contest from Amethi) but people want Rahul Gandhi to return. People understand that they made a mistake in 2019 and they want Rahul Gandhi back…It is her (Smriti Irani) democratic right to challenge and we are not running away from any challenge. If Rahul Gandhi decides to contest elections from here (Amethi), he will contest the elections. People are saying Rahul Bhaiya should contest elections from here (Amethi) and he will win.”
Irani”s tirade didn”t end there. She took a swipe at Gandhi, asserting that the lackluster reception to his Nyay Yatra in Amethi indicated a growing resentment towards the Gandhi family.
The Union minister also spoke about the substantial investments the region received during her tenure. “Amethi has received an investment of ₹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…” Irani told reporters.
Irani’s four-day visit will culminate in a housewarming ceremony on February 22, fulfilling a promise she made during her election campaign that if she won, she would stay among the masses.
The Gandhi family”s association with Amethi dates back decades, with Sanjay Gandhi”s initial attempts followed by Rajiv Gandhi”s successive victories until his tragic demise. Sonia Gandhi continued the legacy briefly before shifting focus to Raebareli. Rahul Gandhi then assumed the mantle, maintaining the family”s stronghold until Smriti Irani snatched it from Congress in the 2019 elections. The winning margin was 55,000 votes.
Meanwhile, Rahul Gandhi launched a scathing attack on the BJP-led government during his Nyay Yatra, accusing it of neglecting marginalised communities while favoring affluent businessmen. He criticised the conspicuous absence of Dalit and backward class representation at prominent events, juxtaposing it with the conspicuous presence of industrialists and celebrities.
Addressing a public gathering in UP during the yatra, he said, “Did you see the Ram Mandir event? It was held with great fanfare. But did you see any Dalit faces? Our President is an Adivasi, so she wasn”t allowed to attend the event. Did you see any farmer or labourer during the event? No backward class faces were anywhere seen during the event. But you must have seen Adani, Ambani and their families. All the businessmen were there. Amitabh Bachchan, Aishwarya Rai and Narendra Modi were there.”
The Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra, spanning 6,700 km through 15 states, aims to champion the message of “nyay” (justice) while engaging with ordinary citizens along the way.
