In Raebareli/Pratapgarh, Uttar Pradesh, the Union Home Minister, Amit Shah, launched a scathing critique against senior Congress leader, Sonia Gandhi, alleging that she allocated over 70% of her MP funds to minority groups, while also accusing the Gandhi family of being adept at deceit. Rahul Gandhi, contesting the Lok Sabha elections from Raebareli, a seat long held by his mother Sonia Gandhi, recently transitioned to the Rajya Sabha. Additionally, Rahul Gandhi has been nominated from Wayanad in Kerala.
Raebareli is scheduled to vote in the fifth phase of the Lok Sabha elections on May 20th. Shah, speaking at an election rally in Pratapgarh, asserted that while Rahul Gandhi may fear Pakistan’s “atom bomb,” the BJP does not, emphasizing India’s rightful claim to Pakistan-occupied Kashmir. These remarks were prompted by Congress leader Mani Shankar Aiyar’s comments regarding Pakistan’s possession of nuclear weapons.
During an election rally in Raebareli, Shah questioned the development efforts of the Gandhi family, urging voters to support BJP candidate Dinesh Pratap Singh for Raebareli’s integration into Modi’s development agenda.
Shah further stated, “The ‘shahzada’ (prince) has come here to seek votes. You have been voting for many years. Have you received anything from the MP fund? If you have not received it, then where did it go? It went to their vote bank. Sonia Gandhi has spent more than 70 per cent of the MP funds on minorities.”
Continuing his critique, Shah highlighted the Gandhi family’s alleged history of dishonesty, citing their unfulfilled promises such as the pledge to provide Rs 1 lakh to every woman, a promise reminiscent of their failed commitment of Rs 15,000 to Telangana’s women during the assembly elections.
Post-rally, Shah visited the residence of Samajwadi Party MLA from Unchahar Manoj Pandey, who resigned as the party’s chief whip and cross-voted in favor of the BJP candidate in the Rajya Sabha polls on February 27th.
In Pratapgarh, Shah referenced Aiyar’s remarks on Pakistan, asserting India’s sovereignty over Pakistan-occupied Kashmir and dismissing fears of Pakistan’s nuclear capabilities.
Addressing the rally, Shah emphasized the need for three “hattricks” in Kaushambi: making Narendra Modi the Prime Minister for the third term, ensuring the eradication of SP, BSP, and Congress in Uttar Pradesh, and electing Vinod Sonkar as MP for the third time. Polling for the Kaushambi (SC) Lok Sabha seat is also slated for the fifth phase on May 20th, with Samajwadi Party’s Pushpendra Saroj emerging as the primary challenger to the BJP.