Lok Sabha elections 2024: Rahul Gandhi's decision to contest from Raebareli strategic, so BJP is upset, says Supriya Shrinate

Supriya Shrinate. File Pic

Amid ongoing Lok Sabha elections 2024, Congress leader Supriya Shrinate on Saturday said the decision of Rahul Gandhi to contest from Raebareli in Uttar Pradesh was "strategic", reported news agency PTI.

The BJP is upset because it realises how important and strategic the decision is, the AICC spokesperson told PTI Videos.

Gandhi filed his nomination from family bastion Raebareli, which was held by Sonia Gandhi for two decades, on Friday. The Wayanad MP has also been renominated from the Kerala seat.

"Rahul Gandhi has the ability to get elected from Uttar Pradesh three times and once from Kerala. He can contest from the north and south of the Vindhyas. Can PM Narendra Modi contest from Odisha, Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, Telangana, Karnataka? Are they not part of India," Shrinate asked.

Responding to Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis calling Gandhi a political tourist, she said the statement was "silly and stupid", reported PTI.

"Fadnavis is Dy CM in a government that was formed with stealth. He, CM Eknath Shinde, Ajit Pawar have not been able to protect the rights and businesses of Mumbai and Maharashtra. All of them are going to Gujarat," she told PTI.

Meanwhile, Congress general secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra has attacked Prime Minister Narendra Modi for labelling her brother Rahul Gandhi as 'Shehzada', reported ANI.

Speaking at a Lok Sabha elections 2024 rally in Banaskantha, Priyanka Gandhi alleged that while Rahul Gandhi had walked 4000 kilometres, PM Modi was sitting in his palace and would not understand the plight of farmers.

"PM Modi calls my brother 'Shehzada'. I want to tell you that my brother walked 4,000 kilometres, met the people of the country and asked them what are the problems in their lives. On the other hand, emperor Narendra Modi lives in palaces. How will he be able to understand the helplessness of farmers and women? Narendra Modi is surrounded by power. People around him are afraid of him. No one says anything to him. Even if someone raises his voice, that voice is suppressed," she said, reported ANI.

Prime Minister Modi in his election speeches has been referring to former Congress President Rahul Gandhi as 'Shehzada'. On May 3 the PM criticised Rahul Gandhi for not contesting from Amethi.

"I told you earlier that the Shehzaada would start looking for another safe seat for himself, fearing defeat in Wayanad. He was so afraid after losing Amethi in 2019 that he bolted all the way down South, to Wayanad. Now, he has escaped to Raebareli. These people often go around telling people, 'Daro maat' (don't be afraid). It's now my turn to say the same to them--'Arey daro maat, bhaago maat' (don't be afraid! don't flee!)," he had said, reported ANI.

(With inputs from PTI and ANI)