In the first week of 2019, Congress president Rahul Gandhi and BJP leader Smriti Irani were supposed to hold rallies in the Amethi Lok Sabha Constituency. The stage was all set to witness the face-off prior to the Lok Sabha election before Rahul Gandhi decided to back off at the crucial moment and ended up delaying his schedule while Irani made no change in her schedule went up for the rally.
In 2014, the duo had contested the last Lok Sabha elections from Amethi and the seat was retained by Rahul Gandhi. Both the leaders are expected to cross swords once again in the upcoming Lok Sabha election.
Though the Union textiles minister could not win the constituency in the 2014 general election, she has continued her to efforts to connect to the people of Amethi. Irani’s continued visits to Amethi during these years drop enough hints that she is well poised to contest against Rahul Gandhi in the upcoming elections.
It is ironical that while Rahul Gandhi who was elected by the people of Amethi is oblivious to the problems faced by people living in his constituency, on the other hand, union minister Smriti Irani who had lost from Amethi is working hard for the upliftment of the people. Rahul Gandhi has been on a vacation for most of the time and does not seem to be interested in working for the development of Amethi.
Besides being not given chance by the voters of Amethi, Smriti Irani has kept working for the welfare of the people the assembly. Pindara Thakur village which falls in the Amethi constituency has been adopted by Smriti Irani. The village has witnessed many developmental projects. Pindara Thakur has already been digitalized in the year 2018. Irani also inaugurated the ‘Digital India Banking Service’ at the head post office of Amethi to boost payment services in the post offices operating in the region.
Moreover, in 2014, Rahul Gandhi registered a win at a time when the entire nation had discarded the Congress. Smriti Irani had put up a tough fight against him in one of the strongholds of Nehru-Gandhi. However, Rahul Gandhi has remained ungrateful and has done absolutely nothing for the people of Amethi, which still remains one of the most backward constituencies in Uttar Pradesh.
Congress has been wiped out of many of its strongholds. There are states which had Congress governments for decades but it was thrown out suddenly when the electorate realized that Congress is good for nothing. Given Rahul Gandhi’s irresponsible and condemnable conduct since 2014 Lok Sabha elections and the manner in which Smriti Irani is working for the constituency despite losing the previous elections, it is very much possible that the people of Amethi may prefer Smriti Irani over the Congress President in the election to come.
Ironically, Rahul Gandhi has been challenging PM Modi in parliament for debate but does not have the courage to face Smriti Irani on his own turf.