Union Home Minister Amit Shah has issued a challenge to Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, urging him to enter the electoral arena from Amethi in Uttar Pradesh. In an exclusive interview with India Today TV during his campaign in Gujarat’s Gandhinagar, Shah remarked that it was evident to both voters and the media why Rahul Gandhi had refrained from contesting from Amethi.
Rahul Gandhi’s Past Victories and Recent Defeat
Rahul Gandhi, who has secured victory in the Amethi seat three consecutive times since 2004, faced a setback in the 2019 Lok Sabha polls when he was defeated by BJP’s Smriti Irani by a margin of 55,000 votes.
BJP Renominates Smriti Irani, Speculation Surrounds Rahul Gandhi
While the BJP has put forth Smriti Irani as its candidate once again for the Amethi seat, the Congress is yet to announce its nominee. There has been speculation that Rahul Gandhi, who has chosen to contest from Kerala’s Wayanad, may also consider contesting from Amethi.
Amit Shah’s Response to Priyanka Gandhi’s Allegations on EVM Manipulation
Responding to allegations by Priyanka Gandhi that the BJP would not surpass 180 seats without EVM manipulation, Amit Shah dismissed the claims, stating that the Congress has a tendency to criticize EVMs when they face defeat and praise them when they emerge victorious. He cited examples of Congress victories in Telangana, Chhattisgarh, and Rajasthan, all achieved through the same EVMs.
Amit Shah Criticizes Mamata Banerjee’s Governance in West Bengal
Shifting focus to West Bengal, Amit Shah criticized Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee’s administration, citing the Sandeshkhali issue as evidence of the lack of safety for women and villagers under the Trinamool Congress regime. Sandeshkhali witnessed unrest following allegations of land grab and sexual harassment by TMC strongman Shahjahan Sheikh and his associates.
Amit Shah’s Pledge to Address Naxalism Issue
Responding to allegations of a “fake encounter” in Chhattisgarh where 29 Naxalites were reportedly killed, Amit Shah dismissed the claims, stating that the opposition had lost its credibility. He pledged to eradicate Naxalism from the nation within the next two years, emphasizing it as a priority for the third term of the Narendra Modi government.
