Smriti Irani dares Rahul Gandhi to contest Lok Sabha polls from Amethi

Union Minister and incumbent Amethi MP Smriti Irani on Monday challenged Congress leader Rahul Gandhi to contest from his erstwhile constituency alone in the upcoming Lok Sabha elections.

Both Gandhi and Irani were present in the Amethi parliamentary constituency today, where in the 2019 elections, the BJP leader defeated Gandhi, who is currently the Member of Parliament from Kerala's Wayanad.

"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."

The BJP leader also took a jibe at the Congress leader saying upon his arrival in Amethi as part of his Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra he was welcomed by deserted streets. "Rahul Gandhi considered Amethi as the centre of power but did not



provide service, that is why he was welcomed by the deserted streets of Amethi. Congress workers who welcomed Rahul Gandhi did not participate in his yatra due to which the Congress had to call workers from Sultanpur and Pratapgarh," Irani told media persons.

Gandhi had served as the MP for the Congress bastion of Amethi in the Lok Sabha for 15 years before he was defeated by Irani in the 2019 Lok Sabha elections. However, Gandhi emerged victorious from Wayanad, the second seat he contested in the elections.

Irani further said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi has worked to increase the business capacity of Amethi through the establishment of small units. "An investment of Rs 6,253 crore has been made in Amethi, 662 projects have started. The Coca-Cola factory established in Ramganj Trishundi, Amethi, is the largest in South Asia. The biggest enterprise is the country's largest hatchery and poultry feed established in Amethi," she added.