Smriti Irani’s Swipe at Rahul Gandhi: “Jijaji Ki Nazar” Amid Amethi Candidate Buzz

GG News Bureau
New Delhi, 23rd April. Sitting BJP MP Smriti Irani has stirred the political pot in Uttar Pradesh’s Amethi, taking a veiled jab at Rahul Gandhi amid speculations over the Congress’s candidate for the upcoming elections.

She claimed that she accomplished more in the constituency in five years than Gandhi did in 15.

These comments come after speculation that Vadra may run for the Amethi seat, a stronghold for the Congress where Irani emerged victorious in 2019. Amethi is set to vote on May 20 in the fifth phase of the Lok Sabha polls.

“Jijaji ki nazar hai, saale sahab kya karenge.” (brother-in-law is eyeing the seat, what will he (Mr. Gandhi) do?) Ms. Irani said at a gathering in Amethi, “There was a time when people traveling in buses would leave their handkerchief to mark their seat so that no one sits on it. Rahul Gandhi will also come to mark his seat with a handkerchief because his brother-in-law is eyeing this seat.”

Irani added, “Has this ever happened? Just 27 days left for the election, but Congress has not announced its candidate. Such arrogance. What I could do in five years, Rahul Gandhi could not do in 15.”

Prior to her victory over Gandhi in the 2019 election, he had represented Amethi for three consecutive terms. The seat has been held in the past by his parents Sonia Gandhi and Rajiv Gandhi, his late uncle Sanjay Gandhi, and was once a stronghold for the Congress.

When asked if he would also be the Congress candidate in Amethi, Gandhi, who is contesting from Wayanad in Kerala, replied, “I will do whatever the party orders me.”

Earlier, Vadra created a buzz by stating that the people of Amethi believe that if he runs there, they will have the chance to correct their mistake of electing Smritiji. He expressed confidence that they would ensure his victory by a large margin if he decides to run.

Wayanad is scheduled to vote on April 26, and the deadline for filing nominations for the Amethi Lok Sabha seat is May 3. This means  Gandhi can announce his nomination after the polling in Wayanad.

Meanwhile, Irani’s campaign is in full swing. She has accused Gandhi of planning to visit Amethi after April 26 and attempting to divide people based on caste.

After the voting in Wayanad on April 26, Rahul Gandhi will come here to tell everyone that Amethi is his family and stoke the fire of casteism. Rahul Gandhi and the Congress party rejected the invitation for the consecration ceremony of Lord Shri Ram in Ayodhya, but he will be seen roaming around the temples in Amethi. So there is a need to be careful and alert, she said at a local meeting.

Top Congress leaders had skipped the consecration ceremony of the Ram Temple this January, accusing the BJP of politicizing the Ayodhya temple.

Irani has alleged that Gandhi never raised issues of Amethi in Parliament and the people of the constituency did not even have access to drinking water during his time as MP.