Rajnath Mocks Rahul's 'Cowardice,' Says He Fled Amethi

Rohtak, May 3, 2024 – In a strong attack on Rahul Gandhi, Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh questioned the former Congress president's leadership ambitions, citing his decision to shift his Lok Sabha constituency from Amethi to Rae Bareli as an act of cowardice. 

Addressing a public meeting in Rohtak ahead of the third phase of Lok Sabha elections, Singh did not mince words in his criticism of Gandhi. "People like him want to lead the country," the senior BJP leader quipped, taking a swipe at Gandhi's prime ministerial aspirations.

Singh claimed that many Congress leaders had wanted Gandhi to contest from Amethi, a traditional Gandhi family bastion, but he chose to "run away" instead. "I am concerned that he may be given a different name after running away from this battle," Singh said, mockingly referring to Gandhi's perceived lack of courage.

The Defence Minister's remarks came in response to Gandhi's defeat in the 2019 Lok Sabha elections, where he lost to BJP leader Smriti Irani in Amethi, a constituency he had represented for three consecutive terms. While Gandhi won from Wayanad in Kerala, his decision to shift his main constituency drew criticism from his opponents. 

Singh also slammed the Congress over Pakistani leader Chaudhry Fawad Hussain's praise for Gandhi, noting that Hussain had earlier supported terror attacks in India. This attack was likely aimed at questioning Gandhi's commitment to national security and his alleged proximity to Pakistan's interests.

Shifting gears, Singh highlighted India's strong stance against its enemies under Prime Minister Narendra Modi's leadership. "The country under PM Narendra Modi's leadership has given the message that it can target its enemies inside and outside the borders," he said, referring to India's retaliatory strikes against terror camps in Pakistan. 

Singh also invoked Mahatma Gandhi's wish after Independence that the Congress should be dissolved and not remain in politics. He urged the people to fulfil Gandhi's wish in the elections and "finish off" the main opposition party. Highlighting the Modi government's achievements, Singh claimed that India has emerged as a strong country whose voice is heard globally, and its economy has become the fifth-largest in the world. He also praised the government's efforts in lifting over 25 crore people out of poverty. 

With polling set to take place in all 10 seats of Haryana in the sixth phase of elections on May 25, the stakes are high for both the BJP and the Congress. The BJP had won all the seats in the previous elections, including Rohtak, which was once considered a bastion of Congress stalwart Bhupinder Singh Hooda.

As the campaign trail intensifies, Singh's scathing attack on Gandhi's perceived cowardice and leadership credentials is expected to further heat up the electoral battle in Haryana and beyond.