Irani targets Gandhi in Wayanad, vows challenge

| Updated: 04 April, 2024 5:17 pm IST
Rahul Gandhi and Union Minister Smriti Irani

Kalpetta – Union Minister Smriti Irani has set her sights on challenging Rahul Gandhi’s dominance in Kerala’s Wayanad. Irani, rallying in support of BJP candidate K Surendran, accused Gandhi of betrayal and opportunism, warning Wayanad against falling prey to the Congress scion’s alleged deceit.

In a fiery speech delivered during a roadshow in Wayanad, Smriti Irani launched a scathing attack on Rahul Gandhi, alleging that he had deceived the people of Amethi and was now poised to repeat the same in Wayanad. Referring to the large-scale developmental projects initiated under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership in Amethi, Irani claimed that the Congress, despite ruling the constituency for five decades, had failed to deliver significant progress until the BJP’s intervention.

Irani’s visit to Wayanad, where Rahul Gandhi has filed his nomination papers, signals a strategic move by the BJP to challenge the Congress stronghold. Gandhi, in a bid to secure his electoral prospects, has referred to Wayanad as his “home” and the residents as his “family.” However, Irani’s presence underscores the BJP’s determination to disrupt Gandhi’s electoral narrative and present a formidable challenge.

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In her address, Irani also criticised the Congress for seeking support from controversial groups like the Popular Front of India (PFI), alleging that Gandhi’s alliances were indicative of his disregard for democratic principles. She accused Gandhi of fostering animosity against Hinduism and questioned his integrity in light of his purported connections with banned outfits.

The upcoming Lok Sabha elections in Wayanad are poised to be a high-stakes battle, with the BJP intensifying its efforts to challenge Gandhi’s dominance. Observers suggest that Irani’s visit serves as a reminder to the electorate that Gandhi is not invincible and that the BJP is prepared to mount a credible challenge.

Meanwhile, speculation looms over the electoral landscape in Amethi, with Smriti Irani confirmed as the BJP’s candidate but uncertainty surrounding Rahul Gandhi’s candidacy. With no official announcement from the Congress, questions persist about whether Gandhi would seek to reclaim his former bastion or whether the party would field an alternative candidate, potentially in alliance with the Samajwadi Party.

As the political drama unfolds, all eyes remain on the electoral battlegrounds of Wayanad and Amethi, where rivalries and ambitions collide in a contest for supremacy.

Smriti Irani’s aggressive stance in Wayanad signals the BJP’s determination to challenge Rahul Gandhi’s stronghold, setting the stage for a fiercely contested electoral battle. With the Congress yet to clarify its strategy in Amethi, the political landscape remains fraught with uncertainty, underscoring the significance of the upcoming Lok Sabha elections in shaping the nation’s political trajectory.

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