Daro Mat, Bhaago Mat: PM Modi Sharpens Attack on Rahul For Chickening Out of Amethi

New Delhi: After Rahul Gandhi opted for Rae Bareli, seemingly a more secure seat than Amethi where he faced defeat to Union minister Smriti Irani in 2019, Prime Minister Narendra Modi sharpened his attack on Wayan MP. Prime Minister used Gandhi's own phrase, "Daro Mat" (don't be afraid), to ridicule him. For unversed, Gandhi h frequently used phrase 'Daro Mat' to accuse BJP government of using investigative agencies to intimidate opposition leers.  

“I h alrey said in Parliament that ir (Congress) biggest leer will not dare to fight elections and she will run away. She ran away to Rajasthan and came to Rajya Sabha... I h alrey said that Shehza was going to lose in Wayan. I h said that as soon as polling was completed in Wayan, he would start looking for anor seat... He is so scared of Amethi that he is running towards Raebareli. y ask everyone 'Daro Mat'. Today, I also ask m, 'Daro Mat, Bhago Mat'...”, PM Modi said while dressing a rally in Bardhaman-Durgapur, West Bengal. 

Gandhis Abandon Amethi

Amethi has indeed been deeply associated with Gandhi family, serving as a stronghold for m in Indian politics for deces. This upcoming election marks a significant shift as it will be first time in 25 years that a member of Gandhi family won't be contesting from Lok Sabha seat re. Congress stronghold faced a notable defeat in 2019 general elections when BJP's Smriti Irani secured victory over Rahul Gandhi by a considerable margin.

This time Rahul Gandhi has opted to contest from safe seat of Rae Bareli, while Kishori Lal Sharma, a trusted aide of Gandhi family, is set to run for Amethi Lok Sabha seat. Sharma has been a pivotal figure in managing se prestigious constituencies on behalf of Gandhis.

It's worth noting that last instance of a non-Gandhi candidate contesting from Amethi was in 1998 when Satish Sharma, a close associate of Rajiv Gandhi and Sonia Gandhi, ran in polls but was defeated by BJP's Sanjaya Sinh. However, Sonia Gandhi reclaimed seat in 1999 with a significant victory margin.

Following this, Sonia shifted her focus to neighbouring Rae Bareli constituency in 2004, paving way for her son Rahul Gandhi to contest from Amethi, where he secured victory for three consecutive terms until his defeat to Smriti Irani in 2019, making helines as a 'giant killer'. Amethi comprises five assembly segments. constituencies of Amethi and Rae Bareli are scheduled to go to polls on May  20. 

‘Vote Bank Above Humanity For TMC’

PM Modi also lambasted Mamata Banerjee-led TMC over Sandeshkhali unrest, saying, “I want to ask TMC, in Sandeshkhali our Dalit sisters were served huge injustice. whole country was demanding action. TMC saw shielding culprit. Was reason that name of culprit was Shahjahan Sheikh?... TMC is busy with appeasement. Can a vote bank be above humanity?...”