Congress president Rahul Gandhi’s decision to contest from Wayanad Lok Sabha constituency in Kerala besides his traditional stronghold of Amethi in Uttar Pradesh evoked sharp reactions from the BJP on Sunday which saw it as his attempt to “escape” defeat at Amethi and seek “safe sanctuary” in a southern State.
BJP chief Amit Shah ridiculed Rahul for deciding to contest from Wayanad Lok Sabha seat besides Amethi, saying the Congress president has “fled” to Kerala fearing that the voters in his traditional stronghold would seek an account of work done by him and his party over the years.
Shah was addressing his first election meeting in western Uttar Pradesh, where voting will be held in the first phase on April 11. The saffron party had won all the eight seats in the region in the 2014 Lok Sabha polls.
“Rahul has fled to Kerala as he fears that Amethi voters will seek an account (of work) from him,” the BJP chief said.
“In Kerala, there is politics of appeasement, hence he is going there. You (Gandhi) have played with the security of the country for your vote-bank politics. Wherever you go, the people of the country will ask you to give an account (of work),” he said.
The Congress had earlier on Sunday said Rahul Gandhi will contest from Wayanad Lok Sabha constituency in Kerala besides his traditional stronghold of Amethi in Uttar Pradesh. The decision is seen as an attempt by the Congress to consolidate its electoral base in south India, especially Kerala which has 20 Lok Sabha seats.
Senior BJP leader and party candidate from Patnasahib Ravi Sankar Prasad sought to dissect Rahul’s move to contest from Wayanad by saying that the constituency consisted of about 49 per cent minorities, implying that that the Congress leader was feeling secure with the kind of constituency profile. He also ridiculed and sought to know whither ‘Mahagadbandan’ with Rahuol contesting against one of the so-called Congress ally (left parties) in Kerala. He said with Mayawati, Mamta , Akhilesh and even “one leader in Bihar” too staking claim at prime minstership , what is the standing of Rahul in ‘ Mahagadhbandan’.
Prasad said Rahul’s run to Wayanad is a clear attempt to find a safe sacture in Kerla as the former fears losing h is traditional seat in UP.