Modi Claims Rahul Gandhi Will Contest From Second Seat, Denies Misuse of CBI and ED

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has claimed that Congress leader Rahul Gandhi will be forced to contest from a second seat after the Wayanad polls, as he was 'chased away' from his previous constituency of Amethi by BJP leader Smriti Irani. In a rally on Thursday, Modi said the "Congress shehzade and his team are waiting for the Wayanad voting, and prediction that just as Gandhi had to 'run away' from the Amethi constituency, he will run away from the Wayanad seat."

Modi also criticized the Kerala government's treatment of Governor Arif Mohammed Khan, saying that "even he does not use such language against the Congress party." Additionally, the Prime Minister denied any misuse of central agencies like the CBI and ED against political opponents.

Congress leader Annie Raja, who is contesting against Rahul Gandhi in Wayanad, argued that Gandhi's decision to contest from the constituency, which has no significant BJP presence, raises questions about the Congress party's intentions. She also criticized Gandhi's claim that an MP has limitations when the party is not in power, stating that this shows "political bankruptcy" and that important issues like the Nilambur-Nanjangud railway line and man-animal conflicts need to be raised in Parliament.

In response to Modi's claims, Rahul Gandhi accused the Prime Minister of running a school of corruption" in the country, criticizing the BJP's methods of collecting donations and the dynamics of the "bail and jail" game involving agencies. Gandhi promised that the INDIA bloc's government will "lock this school of corruption and close this course forever". Modi defended electoral bonds as a measure to combat black money, in response to Gandhi's labelling of them as the "world's biggest extortion scheme".

Why this matters: The war of words between Prime Minister Modi and Congress leader Rahul Gandhi reflects the intense political rivalry and campaigning ahead of the 2024 Lok Sabha elections. The allegations and counter-allegations involving corruption, misuse of agencies, and electoral strategies highlight the high stakes and polarized nature of the upcoming polls.

Modi expressed confidence in the NDA's performance in the first phase of the Lok Sabha elections and appealed to voters to come out in large numbers to exercise their voting rights. He alleged that the Congress has been a barrier in the development of farmers and poor people, and that the opposition INDIA bloc has no face to project and people do not know whom to entrust the country's future. Gandhi, on the other hand, reiterated the Congress party's commitment to diversity and outlined their plans, including financial support for women, job creation, and ensuring employment opportunities for graduates.

Key Takeaways

• PM Modi claims Rahul Gandhi will be forced to contest from a second seat after Wayanad
• Modi criticizes Kerala govt's treatment of Governor Arif Mohammed Khan, denies misuse of agencies
• Congress's Annie Raja questions Rahul's Wayanad move, says it shows "political bankruptcy"
• Rahul accuses Modi of running a "school of corruption", promises to shut it down
• Intense political rivalry and campaigning ahead of 2024 Lok Sabha elections highlighted